Lever— Frontis,  Volume   Thirty 


Military  Romances 

CHARLES  O'MALLEY 

THE  IRISH  DRAGOON 


VOL.  I. 
BY 

CHARLES  LEVER 

AUTHOR    OF  "ARTHUR    O'LEARY,"    "   HARRY    LORREQUER, 
"TOM    BURKE,"    ETC.,    ETC. 

flllustratefc 


P  K  E  P  A  C  E. 


THE  success  of  Harry  Lorrequer  was  the  reason  for  writ- 
ing Charles  O'Malley.  That  I  myself  was  in  no  wise 
prepared  for  the  favour  the  public  bestowed  on  my  first 
attempt  is  easily  enough  understood.  The  ease  with 
which  I  strung  my  stories  together — and  in  reality  the 
Confessions  of  Harry  Lorrequer  are  little  other  than  a 
note-book  of  absurd  and  laughable  incidents — led  me  to 
believe  that  I  could  draw  on  this  vein  of  composition 
without  any  limit  whatever.  I  felt,  or  thought  I  felt,  an 
inexhaustible  store  of  fun  and  buoyancy  within  me,  and 
I  began  to  have  a  misty,  half  confused  impression  that 
Englishmen  generally  laboured  under  a  sad-coloured  tem- 
perament, took  depressing  views  of  life,  and  were  pro- 
portionately grateful  to  any  one  who  would  rally  them 
even  passingly,  out  of  their  despondency,  and  give  them 
a  laugh  without  much  trouble  for  going  in  search  of  it. 

When  I  set  to  work  to  write  Charles  O'Malley  I  was, 
as  I  have  ever  been,  very  low  with  fortune,  and  the  success 
of  a  new  venture  was  pretty  much  as  eventful  to  me  as 
the  turn  of  the  right  colour  at  rouge  et  noir.  At  the 
same  time  I  had  then  an  amount  of  spring  in  my  tempera- 
ment, and  a  power  of  enjoying  life,  which  I  can  honestly 
say  I  never  found  surpassed.  The  world  had  for  me  all 
the  interest  of  an  admirable  comedy,  in  which  the  part 


2234739 


Tl  PREFACE. 

allotted  myself,  if  not  a  high  or  a  foreground  one,  was 
eminently  suited  to  my  taste,  and  brought  me,  besides, 
sufficiently  often  on  the  stage  to  enable  me  to  follow  all 
the  fortunes  of  the  pieco.  Brussels,  where  I  was  then 
living,  was  adorned  at  the  period  by  a  most  agreeabla 
English  society.  Some  leaders  of  the  fashionable  world 
of  London  had  come  there  to  refit  and  recruit,  both  in 
body  and  estate.  There  were  several  pleasant  and  a  great 
number  of  pretty  people  among  them ;  and,  so  far  as  I 
could  judge,  the  fashionable  dramas  of  Belgrave  Square 
and  its  vicinity  were  being  performed  in  the  Rue  Royale 
and  the  Boulevard  de  Waterloo  with  very  considerable 
success.  There  were  dinners,  balls,  dejeuners  and  picnics 
in  the  Bois  de  Cambre,  excursions  to  "Waterloo,  and  select 
little  parties  to  Bois-fort,  a  charming  little  resort  in  the 
forest,  whose  intense  cockneyism  became  perfectly  inoffen- 
sive as  being  in  a  foreign  land,  and  remote  from  the 
invasion  of  home-bred  vulgarity.  I  mention  all  these 
things  to  show  the  adjuncts  by  which  I  was  aided,  and  the 
rattle  of  gaiety  by  which  I  was,  as  it  were,  "  accompanied," 
when  I  next  tried  my  voice. 

The  soldier  element  tinctured  strongly  our  society,  and 
I  will  say  most  agreeably.  Amongst  those  whom  I  re- 
member best,  were  several  old  Peninsulars.  Lord  Com- 
bermere  was  of  this  number,  and  another  of  our  set  was  an 
officer  who  accompanied,  if  indeed  he  did  not  command,  the 
first  boat  party  who  crossed  the  Douro.  It  is  needless  to 
say  how  I  cultivated  a  society  so  full  of  all  the  storied 
details  I  was  eager  to  obtain,  aud  how  generously  disposed 
were  they  to  give  me  all  the  information  I  needed.  On 
topography  especially  were  they  valuable  to  me,  and  with 
such  good  result  that  I  have  been  more  than  once  com- 


PREFACE. 

pliniented  on  the  accuracy  of  my  descriptions  of  places 
which  I  have  never  seen,  and  whose  features  I  have  derived 
entirely  from  the  narratives  of  my  friends. 

When,  therefore,  my  publishers  asked  me  could  I  write 
a  story  in  the  Lorrequer  vein,  in  which  active  service  and 
military  adventure,  could  figure  more  prominently  than 
mere  civilian  life,  and  where  the  achievements  of  a  British 
army  might  form  the  staple  of  the  narrative  ?  When  this 
question  was  propounded  me,  I  was  ready  to  reply — Not 
one,  but  fifty.  Do  not  mistake  me,  and  suppose  that  any 
overweening  confidence  in  my  literary  powers  would  have 
emboldened  me  to  make  this  reply  ;  my  whole  strength  lay 
in  the  fact  that  I  could  not  recognize  anything  like  literary 
effort  in  the  matter.  If  the  world  would  only  condescend 
to  read  that  which  I  wrote  precisely  as  I  was  in  the  habit 
of  talking,  nothing  could  be  easier  than  for  me  to  occupy 
them.  Not  alone  was  it  very  easy  to  me,  but  it  was 
intensely  interesting  and  amusing  to  myself,  to  be  so 
engaged. 

The  success  of  Harry  Lorrequer  had  been  freely  wafted 
across  the  German  Ocean,  but  even  in  its  mildest  accents 
it  was  very  intoxicating  incense  to  me ;  and  I  set  to  work 
on  my  second  book  with  a  thrill  of  hope  as  regards  the 
world's  favour  which — and  it  is  no  small  thing  to  say  it — 
I  can  yet  recall. 

I  can  recall,  too,  and  I  am  afraid  more  vividly  still,  some 
of  the  difficulties  of  my  task  when  I  endeavoured  to  form 
anything  like  an  accurate  or  precise  idea  of  some  cam- 
paigning incident,  or  some  passage  of  arms,  from  the 
narratives  of  two  distinct  and  separate  "  eye-witnesses." 
What  mistrust  I  conceived  for  all  eye-witnesses  from  my 
own  brief  experience  of  their  testimonies  1  What  an  im- 


Till  PREFACE. 

pulse  did  it  lend  me  to  study  the  nature  and  the  tempera- 
ment of  the  narrator,  as  indicative  of  the  peculiar  colour- 
ing he  might  lend  his  narrative ;  and  how  it  taught  me  to 
know  the  force  of  the  French  epigram  that  has  declared 
how  it  was  entirely  the  alternating  popularity  of  Marshal 
Soult  that  decided  whether  he  won  or  lost  the  battle  of 
Toulouse. 

While,  however,  I  was  sifting  these  evidences,  and  sepa- 
rating, as  well  as  I  might,  the  wheat  from  the  chaff,  I  was 
in  a  measure  training  myself  for  what,  without  my  then 
knowing  it,  was  to  become  my  career  in  life.  This  was 
not  therefore  altogether  without  a  certain  degree  of  labour, 
but  so  light  and  pleasant  withal,  so  full  of  picturesque 
peeps  at  character  and  humourous  views  of  human  nature, 
that  it  would  be  the  very  rankest  ingratitude  of  me  if  I 
did  not  own  that  I  gained  all  my  earlier  experiences  of 
the  world  in  very  pleasant  company — highly  enjoyable  at 
the  time,  and  with  matter  for  charming  souvenirs  long 
after. 

That  certain  traits  of  my  acquaintances  found  them- 
selves embodied  in  some  of  the  characters  of  this  story,  I 
do  not  seek  to  deny.  The  principle  of  natural  selection 
adapts  itself  to  novels  as  to  nature,  and  it  would  have 
demanded  an  effort  above  my  strength  to  have  disabused 
myself  at  the  desk  of  all  the  impressions  of  the  dinner 
table,  and  to  have  forgotten  features  which  interested  or 
amused  me. 

One  of  the  personages  of  my  tale  I  drew,  however,  with 
very  little  aid  from  fancy.  I  would  go  so  far  as  to  say 
that  I  took  him  from  the  life,  if  my  memory  did  not  con- 
front me  with  the  lamentable  inferiority  of  my  picture  to 
the  great  original  it  was  meant  to  pourtray. 


PKEFACE.  IX 

With  the  exception  of  the  quality  of  courage,  I  never 
met  a  man  who  contained  within  himself  so  many  of  the 
traits  of  Falstaff,  as  the  individual  who  furnished  me  with 
Major  Monsoon.  But  the  Major — I  must  call  him  so, 
though  that  rank  was  far  beneath  his  own — was  a  man  of 
unquestionable  bravery,  liis  powers  as  a  story-teller  were 
to  my  way  of  thinking  unrivalled,  the  peculiar  reflections 
on  life  which  he  would  passingly  introduce — the  wise 
apothegms — were  after  a  morality  essentially  of  his  own 
invention  that  he  would  indulge  in  the  unsparing  exhibi- 
tion of  himself  in  situations  such  as  other  men  would 
never  have  confessed  to,  all  blended  up  with  a  racy  enjoy- 
ment of  life,  dashed  occasionally  with  sorrow  that  our 
tenure  of  it  was  short  of  patriarchal.  All  these  accom- 
panied by  a  face  redolent  of  intense  humour,  and  a  voice 
whose  modulations  were  managed  with  the  skill  of  a  con- 
summate artist,  all  these  I  say  were  above  me  to  convey, 
nor  indeed  as  I  re-read  any  of  the  adventures  in  which  he 
figures,  am  I  other  than  ashamed  at  the  weakness  of  my 
drawing  and  the  poverty  of  my  colouring. 

That  I  had  a  better  claim  to  personify  him  than  is 
always  the  lot  of  a  novelist — that  I  possessed,  so  to  say,  a 
vested  interest  in  his  life  and  adventures,  I  will  relate  a 
little  incident  in  proof;  and  my  accuracy,  if  necessary, 
can  be  attested  by  another  actor  in  the  scene  who  yet 
survives. 

I  was  living  a  bachelor  life  at  Brussels,  my  family  being 
at  Ostende  for  the  bathing  during  the  summer  of  1840. 
The  city  was  comparatively  empty ;  all  the  so-called  society 
being  absent  at  the  various  spas  or  baths  of  Germany. 
One  member  of  the  British  Legation,  who  remained  at  his 
post  to  represent  the  mission,  and  myself  making  common 


X  PREFACE. 

cause  of  our  desolation  and  ennui,  spent  much  of  our. 
time  together,  and  dined  tite-a-tete  every  day. 

It  chanced  that  one  evening,  as  we  were  hastening 
through  the  park  on  our  way  to  dinner,  we  espied  the 
Major — for  as  Major  I  must  speak  of  him — lounging 
along  with  that  half  careless,  half  observant  air  we  had 
both  of  us  remarked  as  indicating  a  desire  to  be  some- 
body's, anybody's  guest,  rather  than  surrender  himself  to 
the  homeliness  of  domestic  fare. 

"  There's  that  confounded  old  Monsoon,"  cried  my 
diplomatic  friend.  "  It's  all  up  if  he  sees  us,  and  I  can't 
endure  him." 

Now  I  must  remark  that  my  friend,  though  very  far 
from  insensible  to  the  humouristic  side  of  the  Major's 
character,  was  not  always  in  the  vein  to  enjoy  it,  and  when 
so  indisposed  he  could  invest  the  object  of  his  dislike  with 
something  little  short  of  antipathy.  "  Promise  me,"  said 
he,  as  Monsoon  came  towards  us,  "  promise  me,  you'll  not 
ask  him  to  dinner."  Before  I  could  make  any  reply,  the 
Major  was  shaking  a  hand  of  either  of  us,  and  rapturously 
expatiating  over  his  good  luck  at  meeting  us.  "  Mrs.  M.," 
said  he,  "  has  got  a  dreary  party  of  old  ladies  to  dine  with 
her,  and  I  have  come  out  here  to  find  some  pleasant  fellow 
to  join  me,  and  take  a  mutton  chop  together." 

"  We're  behind  our  time,  Major,"  said  my  friend,  "  sorry 
to  leave  you  so  abruptly,  but  must  push  on.  Eh 
Lorrequer,"  added  he,  to  evoke  corroboration  on  my  part. 

"Harry  says  nothing  of  the  kind,"  replied  Monsoon, 
**  he  says,  or  he's  going  to  say,  '  Major,  I  have  a  nice  bit 
of  dinner  waiting  for  me  at  home,  enough  for  two,  will 
feed  three,  or  if  there  be  a  shortcoming,  nothing  easier 
than  to  eke  out  the  deficiency  by  another  bottle  of  Moul- 


PREFACE.  XI 

ton ;  come  along  with  us  then,  Monsoon,  and  we  shall  be 
all  the  merrier  for  your  company.'  " 

Repeating  his  last  words,  "  come  along,  Monsoon,"  <fcc., 
I  passed  my  arm  within  his,  and  away  we  went.  For  a 
moment  my  friend  tried  to  get  free  and  leave  me,  but  I 
held  him  fast  and  carried  him  along  in  spite  of  himself. 
He  was,  however,  so  chagrined  and  provoked  that  till  the 
moment  we  reached  my  door  he  never  uttered  a  word,  nor 
paid  the  slightest  attention  to  Monsoon,  who  talked  away 
in  a  vein  that  occasionally  made  gravity  all  but  impos- 
sible. 

Our  dinner  proceeded  drearily  enough,  the  diplomatist's 
stiffness  never  relaxed  for  a  moment,  and  my  own  awk- 
wardness damped  all  my  attempts  at  conversation.  Not 
so,  however,  Monsoon ;  he  ate  heartily,  approved  of  every- 
thing, and  pronounced  my  wine  to  be  exquisite.  He  gave 
us  a  perfect  discourse  on  slierry,  and  Spanish  wines  in 
general,  told  us  the  secret  of  the  Amontillado  flavour,  and 
explained  that  process  of  browning  by  boiling  down  wine, 
which  some  are  so  fond  of  in  England.  At  last,  seeing 
perhaps  that  the  protection  had  little  charm  for  us,  with 
his  accustomed  tact,  he  diverged  into  anecdote.  "  I  was 
once  fortunate  enough,"  said  he,  "  to  fall  upon  some  of 
that  choice  sherry  from  the  St.  Lucas  Luentas,  which  is 
always  reserved  for  royalty.  It  was  a  pale  wine,  delicious 
in  the  drinking,  and  leaving  no  more  flavour  in  the  mouth 
than  a  faint  dryness  that  seemed  to  say — another  glass. 
Shall  I  tell  you  how  I  came  by  it  ? "  And  scarcely 
pausing  for  reply  he  told  the  story  of  having  robbed  his 
own  convoy,  and  stolen  the  wine  he  was  in  charge  of  for 
safe  conveyance. 

I  wish  1  could  give  any — even  the  weakest  idea  of  hovr 


Xll  PEEFACB. 

he  narrated  that  incident,  the  struggle  that  he  pourtrayed 
between  duty  and  temptation,  and  the  apologetic  tone  of 
his  voice  in  which  he  explained  that  the  frame  of  mind 
that  succeeds  to  any  yielding  to  seductive  influences,  is 
often  in  the  main  more  profitable  to  a  man  than  is  the 
vain-glorious  sense  of  having  resisted  a  temptation. 
"  Meekness  is  the  mother  of  all  the  virtues,"  said  he, 
"  and  there  is  no  being  meek  without  frailty."  The  story, 
told  as  he  told  it,  was  too  much  for  the  diplomatist's 
gravity,  he  resisted  all  signs  of  attention  as  long  as  he 
was  able,  and  at  last  fairly  roared  out  with  laughter. 

As  soon  as  I  myself  recovered  from  the  effects  of  his 
drollery  I  said,  "  Major,  I  have  a  proposition  to  make  you, 
let  me  tell  the  story  in  print,  and  I'll  give  you  five 
naps." 

"  Are  you  serious,  Harry  ? "  asked  he,  "  Is  this  on 
honour  ?  " 

"  On  honour,  assuredly,"  1  replied. 

"  Let  me  have  the  money  down,  on  the  nail,  and  I'll 
give  you  leave  to  have  me  and  my  whole  life,  every  adven- 
ture that  ever  befel  me,  aye  and,  if  you  like,  every  moral 
reflection  that  my  experiences  have  suggested." 

"  Done !  "  cried  I,  "  I  agree." 

"  Not  so  fast,"  cried  the  diplomatist,  "  we  must  make 
a  protocol  of  this,  the  high  contracting  parties  must  know 
what  they  give  and  what  they  receire.  I'll  draw  out  the 
treaty." 

He  did  so  at  full  length  on  a  sheet  of  that  solemn  blue 
tinted  paper,  so  dedicated  to  dispatch  purposes — he  duly 
set  forth  the  concession  and  the  consideration.  We  each 
signed  the  document,  he  witnessed  and  sealed  it,  and 
Monsoon  pocketed  my  five  napoleons,  filling  a  bumper  to 


PREFACE.  Xlll 

any  success  the  bargain  might  bring  me,  and  of  which  I 
have  never  had  reason  to  express  deep  disappointment. 

This  document,  along  with  my  University  degree,  my 
commission  in  a  Militia  regiment,  and  a  vast  amount  of 
letters  very  interesting  to  me,  were  seized  by  the  Austrian 
authorities  on  the  way  from  Como  to  Florence  in  the 
August  of  1847,  being  deemed  part  of  a  treasonable 
correspondence — probably  purposely  allegorical  in  form — 
and  never  restored  to  me.  I  fairly  own  that  I'd  give  all 
the  rest  willingly  to  repossess  myself  of  the  Monsoon 
treaty,  not  a  little  for  the  sake  of  that  quaint  old  auto- 
graph, faintly  shaken  by  the  quiet  laugh  with  which  he 
wrote  it. 

That  I  did  not  entirely  fail  in  giving  my  Major  some 
faint  resemblance  to  the  great  original  from  whom  I 
copied  him,  I  may  mention  that  he  was  speedily  recog- 
nised in  print  by  the  Marquis  of  Londonderry,  the  well- 
known  Sir  Charles  Stuart  of  the  Peninsular  campaign. 
"I  know  that  fellow  well,"  said  he,  "he  once  sent  me  a 
challenge,  and  I  had  to  make  him  a  very  humble  apology. 
The  occasion  was  this :  '  I  had  been  out  with  a  single 
aide-de-camp,  to  make  a  reconnaisance  in  front  of  Victor's 
division ;  and  to  avoid  attracting  any  notice,  we  covered 
over  our  uniform  with  two  common  grey  over-coats  which 
reached  to  the  feet,  and  effectually  concealed  our  rank  as 
officers.  Scarcely,  however,  had  we  topped  a  hill  which 
commanded  the  wiew  of  the  French,  than  a  shower  of 
shells  flew  over  and  around  us.  Amazed  to  think  how  we 
could  have  been  so  quickly  noticed,  I  looked  around  me, 
and  discovered,  quite  close  in  my  rear,  your  friend  Monsoon 
with  what  he  called  his  staff,  a  popinjay  set  of  rascals, 
dressed  out  in  green  and  gold,  and  with  more  plumes  and 


XIV  ,  PREFACE. 

feathers  than  the  general  staff  ever  boasted.  Carried 
away  by  momentary  passion  at  the  failure  of  my  recon- 
naisance,  I  burst  out  with  some  insolent  allusion  to  the 
harlequin  assembly  which  had  drawn  the  French  fire  upon 
us.  Monsoon  saluted  me  respectfully,  and  retired  without 
a  word ;  but  I  had  scarcely  reached  my  quarters  when  a 
'  friend '  of  his  waited  on  me  with  a  message,  a  very  cate- 
gorical message  it  was  too,  '  it  must  be  a  meeting  or  an 
ample  apology.'  I  made  the  apology,  a  most  full  one,  for 
the  Major  was  right,  and  I  had  not  a  fraction  of  reason  to 
sustain  me  in  my  conduct,  and  we  have  been  the  best  of 
friends  ever  since.' " 

I  myself  had  heard  the  incident  before  this  from  Mon- 
soon, but  told  amongst  other  adventures  whose  exact 
veracity  I  was  rather  disposed  to  question,  and  did  not 
therefore  accord  it  all  the  faith  that  was  its  due ;  and  I 
admit  that  the  accidental  corroboration  of  this  one  event 
very  often  served  to  puzzle  me  afterwards,  when  I  listened 
to  stories  in  which  the  Major  seemed  a  second  Munchausen, 
but  might,  like  in  this  of  the  duel,  have  been  amongst  the 
truest  and  most  matter-of-fact  of  historians.  May  the 
reader  be  not  less  embarrassed  than  myself  is  my  sincere, 
if  not  very  courteous,  prayer. 

I  have  no  doubt  myself,  that  often  in  recounting  some 
strange  incident,  a  personal  experience  it  always  was,  he 
was  himself  more  amused  by  the  credulity  of  the  hearers, 
and  the  amount  of  interest  he  could  excite  in  them,  than 
Were  they  by  the  story.  He  possessed  the  true  narrative 
gusto,  and  there  was  a  marvellous  instinct  in  the  way  in 
which  he  would  vary  a  tale  to  suit  the  tastes  of  an 
audience ;  while  his  moralizings  were  almost  certain  to 
take  the  tone  of  a  humouristic  quiz  on  the  company. 


PREFACE.  XV 

Though  fully  aware  that  I  was  availing  myself  of  the 
contract  that  delivered  him  into  my  hands,  and  dining 
with  me  two  or  three  days  a  week,  he  never  lapsed  into 
any  allusion  to  his  appearance  in  print,  and  the  story  had 
been  already  some  weeks  published  before  he  asked  me  to 
lend  him,  "  that  last  thing — he  forgot  the  name  of  it — I 
was  writing." 

Of  Frank  Webber  I  have  said,  in  a  former  notice,  that 
ha  was  one  of  my  earliest  friends,  my  chum  in  college, 
and  in  the  very  chambers  where  I  have  located  Charles 
O'Malley,  in  Old  Trinity.  He  was  a  man  of  the  highest 
order  of  abilities,  and  with  a  memory  that  never  forgot, 
but  ruined  and  run  to  seed  by  the  idleness  that  came  of  a 
discursive,  uncertain  temperament.  Capable  of  anything, 
he  spent  his  youth  in  follies  and  eccentricities  ;  every  one 
of  which,  however,  gave  indications  of  a  mind  inexhaustible 
in  resources,  and  abounding  in  devices  and  contrivances 
that  none  other  but  himself  would  have  thought  of.  Poor 
fellow,  he  died  young ;  and  perhaps  it  is  better  it  should 
have  been  so.  Had  he  lived  to  a  later  day,  he  would  most 
probably  have  been  found  a  foremost  leader  of  Fenianism, 
and  from  what  I  knew  of  him,  I  can  say  he  would  have 
been  a  more  dangerous  enemy  to  English  rule  than  any  of 
those  dealers  in  the  petty  larceny  of  rebellion  we  have 
lately  seen  amongst  us. 

I  have  said  that  of  Mickey  Free  I  had  not  one,  but  one 
thousand — types.  Indeed,  I  am  not  quite  sure  that  in  my 
last  visit  to  Dublin,  I  did  not  chance  on  a  living  specimen 
of  the  '*  Free  "  family,  much  readier  in  repartee,  quicker 
with  an  a  propos,  and  droller  in  illustration  than  my  own 
Mickey.  This  fellow  was  "  boots  "  at  a  great  hotel  in 
Sackville  Street ;  and  I  owe  him  more  amusement  and 


rd  PREFACE. 

some  heartier  laughs  than  it  has  been  always  my  fortune 
to  enjoy  in  a  party  of  wits.  His  criticisms  on  my  sketches 
of  Irish  character  were  about  the  shrewdest  and  the  best 
I  ever  listened  to  ;  and  that  I  am  not  bribed  to  this  opinion 
by  any  flattery,  I  may  remark  that  they  were  more  often 
severe  than  complimentary,  and  that  he  hit  every  blunder 
of  image,  every  mistake  in  figure,  of  my  peasant  charac- 
ters, with  an  acuteness  and  correctness,  which  made  me 
very  grateful  to  know  that  his  daily  occupations  were 
limited  to  blacking  boots,  and  not  polishing  off  authors. 

I  believe  I  have  now  done  with  my  confessions,  except 
I  should  like  to  own  that  this  story  was  the  means  of 
according  me  a  more  heartfelt  glow  of  satisfaction,  a  more 
gratifying  sense  of  pride,  than  anything  I  ever  have  or 
ever  shall  write,  and  in  this  wise.  My  brother,  at  that 
time  the  rector  of  an  Irish  parish,  once  forwaded  to  me  a 
letter  from  a  lady  unknown  to  him,  but  who  had  heard  he 
was  the  brother  of  "  Harry  Lorrequer,"  and  who  addressed 
him,  not  knowing  where  a  letter  might  be  directed  to 
myself.  The  letter  was  the  grateful  expression  of  a 
mother,  who  said  "  I  am  the  widow  of  a  field  officer,  and 
with  an  only  son,  for  whom  I  obtained  a  presentation  to 
"Woolwich  ;  but  seeing  in  my  boy's  nature  certain  traits  of 
nervousness  and  timidity,  which  induced  me  to  hesitate  on 
embarking  him  in  the  career  of  a  soldier,  I  became  very 
unhappy  and  uncertain  which  course  to  decide  on. 

"  While  in  this  state  of  uncertainty  I  chanced  to  make 
him  a  birthday  present  of  '  Charles  O'Malley,'  the  reading 
of  which  seemed  to  act  like  a  charm  on  his  whole  charac- 
ter, inspiring  him  with  a  passion  for  movement  and 
adventure,  and  spiriting  him  to  an  eager  desire  for  a 
military  life.  Seeing  that  this  was  no  passing  enthusiasm, 


PREFACE.  XVli 

but  a  decided  and  determined  bent,  I  accepted  the  cadet- 
ship  for  him,  and  his  career  has  been  not  alone  dis- 
tinguished as  a  student,  but  one  which  has  marked  him 
out  for  an  almost  hare-brained  courage,  and  for  a  dash  and 
heroism  that  give  high  promise  for  his  future. 

"Thank  your  brother  for  me,"  wrote  she,  "a  mother's 
thanks  for  the  welfare  of  an  only  son,  and  say  how  I  wish 
that  my  best  wishes  for  him  and  his  could  recompense 
him  for  what  I  owe  him." 

I  humbly  hope  that  it  may  not  be  imputed  to  me  as 
unpardonable  vanity — the  recording  of  this  incident.  It 
gave  me  an  intense  pleasure  when  I  heard  it ;  and  now 
as  I  look  back  on  it,  it  invests  this  story  for  myself  with 
an  interest  which  nothing  else  that  I  have  written  can 
afford  me. 

I  have  now  but  to  repeat  what  I  have  declared  in  former 
editions,  my  sincere  gratitude  for  the  favour  the  public 
still  continues  to  bestow  on  me — a  favour  which  probably 
associates  the  memory  of  this  book  with  whatever  I  have 
since  done  successfully,  and  compels  me  to  remember  that 
to  the  popularity  of  "  Charles  O'Malley  "  I  am  indebted 
for  a  great  share  of  that  kindliness  in  criticism,  and  that 
geniality  in  judgment,  which — for  more  than  a  quarter  of 
a  century — my  countrymen  have  graciously  bestowed  on 
their  faithful  friend  and  servant, 

TRIESTE,  1872.  CHARLES  LEVER. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER   I. 

PAOB 

DALY'S  CLUB  HOUSE  .••••••••! 


CHAPTER  IL 
THB  ESCAPE       .....•••••< 

CHAPTER   III. 
MR.  BLAKB W 

CHAPTER   IV. 
THE  HUNT         ••...•••••20 

CHAPTER   V. 
THB  DRAWING-ROOM  .,...••••23 

CHAPTER   VI. 
THE  DINNER      « ••••81 

CHAPTER  VIL 

THE  FLIGHT  FROK  GURT-NA-MORRA     .        .        .        .        .        .       43 

CHAPTER   VIIL 
THB  D0BL         • •        •        .      51 


XX  CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER    IX. 

MM 

THE  RETURN      .        , .       68 


CHAPTEB   X. 
THB  ELECTION  .<»...       ••••63 

CHAPTEE  XL 
AN  ADVIKTURI. ,        .      72 

CHAPTEE   XII. 
MICKEY  FHKK 77 

OHAPTEE   XIIL 
THE  JOURNET    .        * .       89 

CHAPTEE   XIV 
DUBLIN     ,., 99 

CHAPTEE   XV. 
CAPTAIN  POWXB •        •        .    107 

CHAPTEE   XVL 
TH«  VIOE-PROVOST •        •        «        •    120 

CHAPTEE  XVIL 
TRIHITT  COLLKOI— A  LEOTURB .125 

CHAPTEE  XVIIL 
THE  INVITATION— THB  WAQBR 132 

CHAPTEE   XIX. 
THE  BALL ,137 


CONTENTS.  XXI 


CHAPTER  XX. 

PA  01 

THH  LAST  NIOHT  IN  TRINITY     .        .        .        .        *        .        .151 


CHAPTEB  XXL 
THB  PHOSNIX  PARK   ..... 


CHAPTEE  XXIL 
TUB  ROAD         ..........    170 

CHAPTER   XXIII. 
CORK        .       .       .........    177 

CHAPTER   XXIV. 
THB  ADJUTANT'S  DINNER    .        .         .        .        .        .        .        .183 

CHAPTER   XXV. 
THB  ENTANGLEMENT  .....        •        .        *        .     187 

CHAPTER   XXVL 
THB  PREPARATION      .....        ••••     193 

CHATTER  XXVIL 
THB  SUPPER      ..........    193 

CHAPTER   XXVIII. 
THB  VOYAQI      .......        ...    203 

CHAPTER   XXIX. 
THB  ADJUTANT'S  STORY  —  LIFE  IN  DERRY    .        «        .        .        .215 

CHAPTER   XXX, 
FBKD  POWER'S  ADVENTURE  IN  PHILIPSTOWK          ....     225 


XXU  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  XXXI. 
THB  VOYAOS 


CHAPTER   XXXII. 
MB.  SPARKS'S  STORT •        .        .    241 

CHAPTER   XXXIII. 
THB  SKIPPER     ......,»..    251 

CHAPTER   XXXIV. 
THB  LAND •        •        •        •    267 

CHAPTER   XXXV. 
MAJOR  MONSOON         •••....••    272 

CHAPTER   XXXVL 
THE  LANDING ,    232 

CHAPTER   XXXVIL 
LISBON      .        , ,     293 

CHAPTER   XXXVIII. 
THK  RCA  NUOVA 299 

CHAPTER   XXXIX. 
THE  VILLA 803 

CHAPTER   XL. 
THB  DINNKB «        .        .    310 

CHAPTER   XLL 
THB  ROUTB       .        , .814 

CHAPTER   XLII. 
THK  FAREWELL .        .        .        .817 


CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER   XLIIL 
THE  MARCH       •••••••».*•     323 

CHAPTER   XLIV. 
THE  BIVOUAC    •        •....••••     831 

CHAPTER   XL7. 
THE  DODRO       ..........     341 

CHAPTER   XLVL 
THE  MORNING   ......••..     352 

CHAPTER  XLVII. 
THK  REVIEW     ..........     857 

CHAPTER    XLVIII. 
THK  QOARREL   ..........     863 

CHAPTER   XLIX. 
THE  ROUTE        .        .         .         .         ......     363 

CHAPTER   L. 
THE  WATCH-FIRI      .....«,..     372 

CHAPTER   M. 
THK  MARCH      ......•••.881 

CHAPTER   LIL 
THE  PACK          ••....••«•     334 

CHAPTER   MIL 
ALVAC        ...........     3'Jl 

CHAPTER    LIV. 
Tsf  SCPPE» .     3Sd 


XXIV  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  LV. 
THB  LEGIOIT      . •..    403 

CHAPTER  LVL 
THB  DEPAKica« 406 

CHAPTER  LVII. 
CUESTA     ••• ••.    416 

CHAPTER  LVIII. 
THE  LETTS* 419 

CHAPTER   LIX. 
MAJOR  O'SHAUQHKESST      .........     423 

CHAPTER   LX. 
PBBLIMIHABIBS  .        .        «. 426 

CHAPTER   LXI. 
ALL  Biom       .        .       .        ...       .        .       .        .429 

CHAPTER   LXIL 
THB  DCM, 433 

CHAPTER  LXIIL 
NEWS  FROM  QALWAT •        .     438 

CHAPTER   LXIV. 
AM  ADVENTURE  WITH  SIR  ARTHUR     ......    445 

CHAPTER   LXV. 
TALAVBRA ^       4  449 


CHARLES    O'MALLEY, 


CHAPTER  L 

DALY'S    CLUB    nous*. 

THE  rain  was  dashing  in  torrents  against  the  window- 
panes,  and  the  wind  sweeping  in  heavy  and  fitful  gusts 
along  the  dreary  and  deserted  streets,  as  a  party  of  three 
persons  sat  over  their  wine,  in  that  stately  old  pile  which 
once  formed  the  resort  of  the  Irish  Members,  in  College 
Green,  Dublin,  and  went  by  the  name  of  Daly's  Club 
House.  The  clatter  of  falling  tiles  and  chimney-pots— 
the  jarring  of  the  window-frames  and  howling  of  the 
storm  without,  seemed  little  to  affect  the  spirits  of  those 
within,  as  they  drew  closer  to  a  blazing  fire,  before  which 
stood  a  small  table  covered  with  the  remains  of  a  dessert, 
and  an  abundant  supply  of  bottles,  whose  characteristic 
length  of  neck  indicated  the  rarest  wines  of  France  and 
Germany ;  while  the  portly  magnum  of  claret — the  wine 
par  excellence  of  every  Irish  gentleman  of  the  day — passed 
rapidly  from  hand  to  hand,  the  conversation  did  not  lan- 
guish, and  many  a  deep  and  hearty  laugh  followed  the 
stories  which  every  now  and  then  were  told,  as  some 
reminiscence  of  early  clays  was  recalled,  or  some  trait  of 
a  former  companion  remembered. 

One  of  the  party,  however,  was  apparently  engrossed 
by  other  thoughts  than  those  of  the  mirth  and  merriment 


8  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

around ;  for,  in  the  midst  of  all,  he  would  turn  suddenly 
from  the  others,  and  devote  himself  to  a  number  of  scat- 
tered sheets  of  paper,  upon  which  he  had  written  some 
lines,  but  whose  crossed  and  blotted  sentences  attested 
how  little  success  had  waited  upon  his  literary  labours. 
This  individual  was  a  short,  plethoric-looking,  white-haired 
man,  of  about  fifty,  with  a  deep,  round  voice,  and  a  chuck- 
ling, smothering  laugh,  which,  whenever  he  indulged,  not 
only  shook  his  own  ample  person,  but  generally  created  a 
petty  earthquake  on  every  side  of  him.  For  the  present, 
I  shall  not  stop  to  particularize  him  more  closely ;  but 
when  I  add,  that  the  person  in  question  was  a  well-known 
member  of  the  Irish  House  of  Commons,  whose  acute 
understanding  and  practical  good  sense  were  veiled  under 
an  affected  and  well-dissembled  habit  of  blundering,  that 
did  far  more  for  his  party  than  the  most  violent  and  pointed 
attacks  of  his  more  accurate  associates,  some  of  my  readers 
may  anticipate  me  in  pronouncing  him  to  be  Sir  Harry 
Boyle.  Upon  his  left  sat  a  figure  the  most  unlike  him 
possible ;  he  was  a  tall,  thin,  bony  man,  with  a  bolt-upright 
air,  and  a  most  saturnine  expression ;  his  eyes  were  covered 
by  a  deep  green  shade,  which  fell  far  over  his  face,  but 
failed  to  conceal  a  blue  scar  that,  crossing  his  cheek,  ended 
in  the  angle  of  his  mouth,  and  imparted  to  that  feature, 
when  he  spoke,  an  apparently  abortive  attempt  to  extend 
towards  his  eyebrow;  his  upper  lip  was  covered  with  a 
grizzly  and  ill-trimmed  moustache,  which  added  much  to 
tfre  ferocity  of  his  look,  while  a  thin  and  pointed  beard  on 
his  chin  gave  an  apparent  length  to  the  whole  face  that 
completed  its  rueful  character.  His  dress  was  a  single- 
breasted,  tightly-buttoned  frock,  in  one  button-hole  of 
which  a  yellow  ribbon  was  fastened,  the  decoration  of  a 
foreign  service,  which  conferred  upon  its  wearer  the  title 
of  Count ;  and  though  Billy  Considine,  as  he  was  familiarly 
called  by  his  friends,  was  a  thorough  Irishman  in  all  his 
feelings  and  affections,  yet  he  had  no  objection  to  the 
designation  he  had  gained  in  the  Austrian  army.  The 
Count  was  certainly  no  beauty,  but,  somehow,  very  few 
Vien  of  his  day  had  a  fancy  for  telling  him  so  ;  a  deadlier 
/land  and  a  steadier  eye  never  covered  his  man  in  the 
Pbo?nix ;  and  though  he  never  had  a  seat  in  the  House,  he 
was  always  regarded  as  one  of  the  government  party,  who 


DALY  S   CLUB   HOUSE.  8 

more  than  once  bad  damped  the  ardour  of  an  opposition 
member,  by  the  very  significant  threat  of  "  setting  Billy  at 
him."  The  third  figure  of  the  group  was  a  large,  power- 
fully-built, and  handsome  man,  older  than  either  of  the 
others,  but  not  betraying  in  his  voice  or  carriage  any  touch 
of  time.  He  was  attired  in  the  green  coat  and  buff  vest 
which  formed  the  livery  of  the  club  ;  and  in  his  tall,  ample 
forehead,  clear,  well-set  eye,  and  still  handsome  mouth, 
bore  evidence  that  no  great  flattery  was  necessary  at  the 
time  which  called  Godfrey  O'Malley  the  handsomest  man 
in  Ireland. 

"  Upon  my  conscience,"  said  Sir  Harry,  throwing  down 
his  pen  with  an  air  of  ill-temper,  "  I  can  make  nothing  of 
it ;  I  have  got  into  such  an  infernal  habit  of  making  bulls, 
that  I  can't  write  sense  when  I  want  it." 

"  Come,  come,"  said  O'Malley,  "  try  again,  my  dear 
fellow.  If  you  can't  succeed,  I'm  sure  Billy  and  I  have 
no  chance." 

"  What  have  you  written  ?  Let  us  see,"  said  Considine, 
drawing  the  paper  towards  him,  and  holding  it  to  the 
light.  "  Why,  what  the  devil  is  all  this  ?  you  have  made 
him  '  drop  down  dead  after  dinner  of  a  lingering  illness, 
brought  on  by  the  debate  of  yesterday.'  " 

"  Oh,  impossible  !" 

"  Well,  read  it  yourself;  there  it  is  ;  and,  as  if  to  make 
the  thing  less  credible,  you  talk  of  his  '  Bill  for  the  Better 
Recovery  of  Small  Debts.'  I'm  sure,  O'Malley,  your  last 
moments  were  not  employed  in  that  manner." 

"  Come,  now,"  said  Sir  Harry,  "  I'll  set  all  to  rights 
with  a  postscript.  '  Any  one  who  questi  ns  the  above 
statement,  is  politely  requested  to  call  on  Mr.  Considine, 
16,  Kildare  Street,  who  will  feel  happy  to  afford  him 
eveiy  satisfaction  upon  Mr.  O'Malley's  decease,  or  upon 
miscellaneous  matters.'  " 

"  Worse  and  worse,"  said  O'Malley.  "  Killing  another 
man  will  never  persuade  the  world  that  I  am  dead." 

"  But  we'll  wake  you,  and  have  a  glorious  funeral." 

"  And  if  any  man  doubt  the  statement,  I'll  call  him 
out,"  said  the  Count. 

"  Or,  better  still,"  said  Sir  Harry,  "  O'Malley  has  his 
action  at  law  for  defamation." 

"  I  see  I'll  never  get  down  to  Qalway  at  this   rate," 


4  CHARLES   O  MALLEY. 

said  O'Malley ;  "  and  as  the  new  election  takes  place 
on  Tuesday  week,  time  presses.  There  are  more  writs 
flying  after  me  this  instant,  than  for  all  the  government 
boroughs." 

"  And  there  will  be  fewer  returns,  I  fear,"  said  Sir 
Harry. 

"  Who  is  the  chief  creditor?"  asked  the  Count. 

"  Old  Stapleton,  the  attorney  in  Fleet  Street,  has  most 
of  the  mortgages." 

"  Nothing  to  be  done  with  him  in  this  way  ?  "  said 
Considine,  balancing  the  cork-screw  like  a  hair  trigger. 

"  No  chance  of  it." 

"  May  be,"  said  Sir  Harry,  "  he  might  come  to  terms 
if  I  were  to  call  and  say — You  are  anxious  to  close  ac- 
counts, as  your  death  has  just  taken  place.  You  know 
what  I  mean." 

"  I  fear  so  should  he,  were  you  to  say  so.  No,  no, 
Boyle,  just  try  a  plain,  straightforward  paragraph  about 
my  death.  We'll  have  it  in  Falkner's  paper  to-morrow  ; 
on  Friday  the  funeral  can  take  place,  and,  with  the  bless- 
ing o'  God,  I'll  come  to  life  on  Saturday  at  Athlone,  in 
time  to  canvass  the  market." 

"  I  think  it  wouldn't  be  bad  if  your  ghost  were  to  ap- 
pear to  old  Timins  the  tanner,  in  Naas,  on  your  way 
down  ;  you  know  he  arrested  you  once  before." 

"  I  prefer  a  night's  sleep,"  said  O'Malley  ;  "  but  come, 
finish  the  squib  for  the  paper." 

"  Stay  a  little,"  said  Sir  Harry,  musing;  "  it  just 
strikes  me  that,  if  ever  the  matter  gets  out,  I  may  be  in 
some  confounded  scrape.  Who  knows  if  it  is  not  a  breach 
of  privilege  to  report  the  death  of  a  member?  And  to 
tell  you  truth,  I  dread  the  Serjeant  and  the  Speaker's 
warrant  with  a  very  lively  fear." 

"  Why,  when  did  you  make  his  acquaintance  ?  "  said  the 
Count. 

"  Is  it  possible  you  never  heard  of  Boyle's  committal  ?  '* 
said  O'Malley ;  "  you  surely  must  have  been  abroad  at 
the  time ;  but  it's  not  too  late  to  tell  it  yet." 

"Well,  it's  about  two  years  since  old  Townsend  brought 
in  his  Enlistment  Bill,  and  the  whole  country  was  scoured 
for  all  our  voters,  who  were  scattered  here  and  there, 
never  anticipating  another  call  of  the  House,  and  sup- 


DALY  S   CLUB   HOUSE.  5 

posing  that  the  session  was  just  over.  Among  ethers, 
up  came  our  friend  Harry,  here,  and,  the  night  he  arrived, 
they  made  him  a  '  Monk  of  the  Screw,*  and  very  soon 
made  him  forget  his  senatorial  dignities. 

"  On  the  evening  after  his  reaching  town,  the  bill  was 
brought  in,  and  at  two  in  the  morning  the  division  took 
place — a  vote  was  of  too  much  consequence  not  to  look 
after  it  closely — and  a  Castle  messenger  was  in  waiting 
in  Exchequer  Street,  who,  when  the  debate  was  closing, 
put  Harry,  with  three  others,  into  a  coach,  and  brought 
them  down  to  the  House.  Unfortunately,  however,  they 
mistook  their  friends,  voted  against  the  bill,  and,  amid 
the  loudest  cheering  of  the  opposition,  the  government 
party  were  defeated.  The  rage  of  the  ministers  knew 
no  bounds,  and  looks  of  defiance  and  even  threats  were 
exchanged  between  the  ministers  and  the  deserters.  Amid 
all  this  poor  Harry  fell  fast  asleep,  and  dreamed  that  he 
was  once  more  in  Exchequer  Street,  presiding  among  the 
monks,  and  mixing  another  tumbler.  At  length  he  awoke 
and  looked  about  him — the  clerk  was  just  at  the  instant 
reading  out,  in  his  usual  routine  manner,  a  clause  of  the 
new  bill,  and  the  remainder  of  the  House  was  in  dead 
silence.  Harry  looked  again  around  on  every  side,  won- 
dering where  was  the  hot  water,  and  what  had  become  of 
the  whisky  bottle,  and  above  all,  why  the  company  were 
so  extremely  dull  and  ungenial.  At  length,  with  a  half 
shake,  he  roused  up  a  little,  and  giving  a  look  of  unequi- 
vocal contempt  on  every  side,  called  out,  '  Upon  my  soul, 
you're  pleasant  companions — but  I'll  give  you  a  chant  to 
enliven  you.'  So  saying,  he  cleared  his  throat  with  a 
couple  of  short  coughs,  and  struck  up,  with  the  voice  of 
a  Stentor,  the  following  verse  of  a  popular  ballad  : — 

'* '  And  they  nibbled  away,  both  night  and  day, 

Like  mice  in  a  round  of  Glo'ster  ; 
Great  rogues  they  were  all,  both  great  and  small  5 
From  Flood  to  Leslie  Foster. 

"  '  Great  rogu*  all.' 

"  «  Chorus,  boys ! ' 

If  he  was  not  joined  by  the  voices  of  his  friends  in  the 
song,  it  was  probably  because  such  a  roar  of  laughing 
never  was  heard  since  the  walls  were  roofed  over.  The 
whole  House  rose  in  a  mass,  and  my  friend  Harry  waa 


6  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

hurried  over  the  benches  by  the  Serjeant-at  Arras,  and 
left  for  three  weeks  in  Newgate  to  practise  his  melody." 

"All  true,"  said  Sir  Harry,  "and  worse  luck  to  them 
for  not  liking  music ;  but  come  now,  will  this  do  ? — '  It 
is  our  melancholy  duty  to  announce  the  death  of  Godfrey 
O'Malley,  Esq.,  late  member  for  the  county  of  Galway, 
which  took  place  on  Friday  evening,  at  Daly's  Club 
House.  This  esteemed  gentleman's  family — one  of  the 
oldest  in  Ireland,  and  among  whom  it  was  hereditary  not 
to  have  any  children '  " 

Here  a  burst  of  laughter  from  Considine  and  O'Malley 
interrupted  the  reader,  who  with  the  greatest  difficulty 
could  be  persuaded  that  he  was  again  bulling  it. 

"  The  devil  fly  away  with  it,"  said  he,  "  I'll  never 
succeed." 

"  Never  mind,"  said  O'Malley ;  "  the  first  part  will  do 
admirably ;  and  let  us  now  turn  our  attention  to  other 
matters." 

A  fresh  magnum  was  called  for,  and  over  its  inspiring 
contents  all  the  details  of  the  funeral  were  planned ;  and, 
as  the  clock  struck  four,  the  party  separated  for  the  night^ 
well  satisfied  with  the  result  of  their  labours. 


CHAPTBE   II. 

THE    ESCAPE. 

WITEN  the  dissolution  of  Parliament  was  announced  the 
following  morning  in  Dublin,  its  interest  in  certain  circles 
was  manifestly  increased  by  the  fact  that  Godfrey  O'Malley 
was  at  last  open  to  arrest ;  for  as,  in  olden  times,  certain 
gifted  individuals  possessed  some  happy  immunity  against 
death  by  fire  or  sword,  so  the  worthy  O'Malley  seemed  to 
enjoy  a  no  less  valuable  privilege,  and  for  many  a  year  had 
passed,  among  the  myrmidons  of  the  law,  as  writ-proof. 
Now,  however,  the  charm  seemed  to  have  yielded,  and 
pretty  much  with  the  same  feeling  as  a  storming  party 
may  be  supposed  to  experience  on  the  day  that  a  breach 


THE   ESCAPE.  7 

is  reported  as  practicable,  did  the  honest  attorneys,  retained 
in  the  various  suits  against  him,  rally  round  each  other 
that  morning  in  the  Four  Courts. 

Bonds,  mortgages,  post-obits,  promissory  notes  —  in 
fact,  every  imaginable  species  of  invention  for  raising  the 
O'Malley  exchequer  for  the  preceding  thirty  years — were 
handed  about  on  all  sides,  suggesting  to  the  mind  of  an 
uninterested  observer  the  notion  that,  had  the  aforesaid 
O'Malley  been  an  independent  and  absolute  monarch, 
instead  of  merely  being  the  member  for  Galway,  the 
kingdom  over  whose  destinies  he  had  been  called  to 
preside  would  have  suffered  not  a  little  from  a  depre- 
ciated currency  and  an  extravagant  issue  of  paper.  Be 
that  as  it  might,  one  thing  was  clear :  the  whole  estates 
of  the  family  could  not  possibly  pay  one-fourth  of  the 
debt,  and  the  only  question  was  one  which  occasionally 
arises  at  a  scanty  dinner  on  a  mail-coach  road — who  was 
to  be  the  lucky  individual  to  carve  the  joint,  where  so 
many  were  sure  to  go  off  hungry. 

It  was  now  a  trial  of  address  between  these  various  and 
highly-gifted  gentlemen  who  should  first  pounce  upon  the 
victim,  and  when  the  skill  of  their  caste  is  taken  into 
consideration,  who  will  doubt  that  every  feasible  expedient 
for  securing  him  was  resorted  to  ?  While  writs  were 
struck  against  him  in  Dublin,  emissaries  were  despatched 
to  the  various  surrounding  counties  to  procure  others  in 
the  event  of  his  escape.  JNe  exeats  were  sworn,  and  water- 
bailiffs  engaged  to  follow  him  on  the  high  seas ;  and,  as 
the  great  Nassau  balloon  did  not  exist  in  those  days,  no 
imaginable  mode  of  escape  appeared  possible,  and  bets 
•were  offered  at  long  odds  that,  within  twenty-four  hours, 
the  late  member  would  be  enjoying  his  otium  turn  dignitate 
in  his  Majesty's  gaol  of  Newgate. 

Expectation  was  at  the  highest — confidence  hourly  in- 
creasing— success  all  but  certain — when,  in  the  midst  of 
all  this  high-bounding  hope,  the  dreadful  rumour  spread 
that  O'Malley  was  no  more.  One  had  seen  it  just  five 
minutes  before  in  the  evening  edition  of  Falkner's  paper 
— another  heard  it  in  the  courts — a  third  overheard  the 
Chief  Justice  stating  it  to  the  Master  of  the  Bolls — and, 
lastly,  a  breathless  witness  arrived  from  College  Green 
with  the  news  that  Daly's  Club  House  was  shut  up,  and 


8  CHABLES   0*MALLEY. 

the  shutters  closed.  To  describe  the  consternation  the 
intelligence  caused  on  every  side  is  impossible  ;  nothing 
in  history  equals  it,  except,  perhaps,  the  entrance  of  the 
French  army  into  Moscow,  deserted  and  forsaken  by  its 
former  inhabitants.  While  terror  and  dismay,  therefore, 
spread  amid  that  wide  and  respectable  body  who  formed 
O'Malley's  creditors,  the  preparations  for  his  funeral  were 
going  on  with  every  rapidity ;  relays  of  horses  were  ordered 
at  every  stage  of  the  journey,  and  it  was  announced  that, 
in  testimony  of  his  worth,  a  large  party  of  his  friends  were 
to  accompany  his  remains  to  Portnmna  Abbey — a  test  much 
more  indicative  of  resistance  in  the  event  of  any  attempt 
to  arrest  the  body,  than  of  anything  like  reverence  for  their 
departed  friend. 

Such  was  the  state  of  matters  in  Dublin,  when  a  letter 
reached  me  one  morning  at  O'Malley  Castle,  whose  con- 
tents will  at  once  explain  the  writer's  intention,  and  also 
serve  to  introduce  my  unworthy  self  to  my  reader.  It  ran 
thus : — 

"DEAR  CHABLBT, — Your  uncle  Godfrey,  whose  debts 
(God  pardon  him)  are  more  numerous  than  the  hairs  of 
his  wig,  was  obliged  to  die  here  last  night.  We  did  the 
thing  for  him  completely ;  and  all  doubts  as  to  the  reality 
of  the  event  are  silenced  by  the  circumstantial  detail  of 
the  newspaper  *  that  he  was  confined  six  weeks  to  his  bed 
from  a  cold  he  caught,  ten  days  ago,  while  on  guard.' 
Repeat  this,  for  it's  better  we  had  all  the  same  story  till 
he  comes  to  life  again,  which,  maybe,  will  not  take  place 
before  Tuesday  or  Wednesday.  At  the  same  time,  canvass 
the  county  for  him,  and  say  he'll  be  with  his  friends  next 
week,  and  up  in  Woodford  and  the  Scariff  barony :  say  he 
died  a  true  Catholic;  it  will  serve  him  on  the  buptvgs. 
Meet  us  in  Athlone  on  Saturday,  and  bring  your  rnole'a 
mare  with  you — he  says  he'd  rather  ride  home ;  and  tell 
Father  MacShane  to  have  a  bit  of  dinner  ready  about 
four  o'clock,  for  the  corpse  can  get  nothing  after  he  leaves 
Mountmellick. — No  more  now,  from  yours,  ever, 

"HARRY  BOYLE. 

"  Daly's,  about  eight  in  the  evening. 
"To  Charles  O'Malley,  Esq., 

O'Malley  Castle,  Qalway." 


THE    ESCAPE.  9 

When  this  not  over-clear  document  reached  me,  I  was 
the  sole  inhabitant  of  O'Malley  Castle,  a  very  ruinous  pile 
of  incongruous  masonry,  that  stood  in  a  wild  and  dreary 
part  of  the  county  of  Galway,  bordering  on  the  Shannon. 
On  every  side  stretched  the  property  of  my  uncle,  or  at  least 
what  had  once  been  so ;  and,  indeed,  so  numerous  were  its 
present  claimants,  that  he  would  have  been  a  subtle  lawyer 
who  could  have  pronounced  upon  the  rightful  owner.  The 
demesne  around  the  castle  contained  some  well-grown  and 
handsome  timber,  and,  as  the  soil  was  undulating  and 
fertile,  presented  many  features  of  beauty;  beyond  it,  all 
was  sterile,  bleak,  and  barren.  Long  tracts  of  brown 
heath-clad  mountain,  or  not  less  unprofitable  valleys  of 
tall  and  waving  fern,  were  all  that  the  eye  could  discern, 
except  where  the  broad  Shannon,  expanding  into  a  tran- 
quil and  glassy  lake,  lay  still  and  motionless  beneath  the 
dark  mountains,  a  few  islands,  with  some  ruined  churches 
and  a  round  tower,  alone  breaking  the  dreary  waste  of 
water. 

Here  it  was  that  I  had  passed  my  infancy  and  my  youth, 
and  here  I  now  stood,  at  the  age  of  seventeen,  quite  un- 
conscious that  the  world  contained  aught  fairer  and  brighter 
than  that  gloomy  valley,  with  ita  rugged  frame  of  moun- 
tains. 

When  a  mere  child,  I  was  left  an  orphan  to  the  care  of 
my  worthy  uncle.  My  father,  whose  extravagance  had 
well  sustained  the  family  reputation,  had  squandered  a 
large  and  handsome  property  in  contesting  elections  for  his 
native  county,  and  in  keeping  up  that  system  of  unlimited 
hospitality  for  which  Ireland  in  general,  and  Gal  way  more 
especially,  was  renowned.  The  result  was,  as  might  be 
expected,  ruin  and  beggary.  He  died,  leaving  eveiy  one 
of  his  estates  encumbered  with  heavy  debts,  and  the  only 
legacy  he  left  to  his  brother  was  a  boy  of  four  years  «f 
age,  entreating  him,  with  his  last  breath,  "  Be  anything 
you  like  to  him,  Godfrey,  but  a  father,  or  at  least  such  a 
one  as  I  have  proved." 

Godfrey  O'Malley,  some  short  time  previous,  had  lost  his 
wife,  and  when  this  new  trust  was  committed  to  him,  he 
resolved  never  to  remarry,  but  to  rear  me  up  as  his  own 
child,  and  the  inheritor  of  his  estates.  How  weighty  and 
oueroas  an  obligation  this  latter  might  prove,  the  reader 


10  CHARLES    0' MALLET. 

can  form  some  idea.  The  intention  was,  however,  a  kind 
one  ;  and  to  do  my  uncle  justice,  he  loved  me  with  all  the 
affection  of  a  warm  and  open  heart. 

From  my  earliest  years  his  whole  anxiety  was  to  fit  me 
for  the  part  of  a  country  gentleman,  as  he  regarded  that 
character — viz.,  I  rode  boldly  with  fox-hounds;  I  was 
about  the  best  shot  within  twenty  miles  of  us;  I  could 
gwim  the  Shannon  at  Holy  Island  ;  I  drove  four-in-hand 
better  than  the  coachman  himself;  and  from  finding  a  hare 
to  hooking  a  salmon,  my  equal  could  not  be  found  from 
Killaloe  to  Banagher.  These  were  the  staple  of  my  endow- 
ments. Besides  which,  the  parish  priest  had  taught  me  a 
little  Latin,  a  little  French,  and  a  little  geometry,  and  a 
great  deal  of  the  life  and  opinions  of  St.  Jago,  who  pre- 
sided over  a  holy  well  in  the  neighbourhood,  and  was  held 
in  very  considerable  repute. 

When  I  add  to  this  portraiture  of  my  accomplishments 
that  I  was  nearly  six  feet  high,  with  more  than  a  common 
share  of  activity  and  strength  for  my  years,  and  no  incon- 
siderable portion  of  good  looks,  I  have  finished  my  sketch, 
and  stand  before  my  reader. 

It  is  now  time  I  should  return  to  Sir  Harry's  letter, 
which  so  completely  bewildered  me,  that,  but  for  the 
assistance  of  Father  Roach,  I  should  have  been  totally 
unable  to  make  out  the  writer's  intentions.  By  his  advice, 
I  immediately  set  out  for  Athlone,  where,  when  I  arrived, 
I  found  my  uncle  addressing  the  mob  from  the  top  of  the 
hearse,  and  recounting  his  miraculous  escapes  as  a  new 
claim  upon  their  gratitude. 

"  There  was  nothing  else  for  it,  boys ;  the  Dublin  people 
insisted  on  my  being  their  member,  and  besieged  the  club- 
house. I  refused — they  threatened — I  grew  obstinate— 
they  furious.  *  I'll  die  first,'  said  I.  '  Gal  way  or  nothing!'" 
"  Hurrah !  "  from  the  mob.  "  O'Malley  for  ever  !  "  "  And 
ye  see  I  kept  my  word,  hoys — I  did  die ;  I  died  that 
evening  at  a  quarter-past  eight.  There,  read  it  for  your- 
selves ;  there's  the  paper  ;  was  waked  and  carried  out,  and 
here  I  am  after  all,  ready  to  die  in  earnest  for  you — but 
nevrr  to  desert  you." 

The  cheers  here  were  deafening,  and  my  uncle  was 
carried  through  the  market,  down  to  the  mayor's  house, 
who,  being  a  friend  of  the  opposite  party,  was  complimented 


THE  ESCAPE.  11 

with  three  groans  ;  then  np  the  Moll  to  the  chapel,  beside 
which  Father  MacShane  resided.  He  was  then  suffered 
to  touch  the  earth  once  more,  when,  having  shaken  hands 
with  all  of  his  constituency  within  reach,  he  entered  the 
house,  to  partake  of  the  kindest  welcome  and  best  recep- 
tion the  good  priest  could  afford  him. 

My  uncle's  progress  homeward  was  a  triumph  ;  the  real 
secret  of  his  escape  had  somehow  come  out,  and  his  popu- 
larity rose  to  a  white  heat.  "An*  it's  little  O'Malley  cares 
for  the  law — bad  luck  to  it;  it's  himself  can  laugh  at 
judge  and  jury.  Arrest  him — nabocklish — catch  a  weasel 
asleep,"  &c.  Such  were  the  encomiums  that  greeted  him 
as  he  passed  on  towards  home  ;  while  shouts  of  joy  and 
blazing  bonfires  attested  that  his  success  was  regarded  as 
a  national  triumph. 

The  west  has  certainly  its  strong  features  of  identity. 
Had  my  uncle  possessed  the  claims  of  the  immortal  Howard 
— had  he  united  in  his  person  all  the  attributes  which  con- 
fer a  lasting  and  an  ennobling  fame  upon  humanity — he 
might  have  passed  on  unnoticed  and  unobserved  ;  but  for 
the  man  that  had  duped  a  judge  and  escaped  the  sheriff, 
nr.thing  was  sufficiently  flattering  to  mark  their  approba- 
tion. The  success  of  the  exploit  was  twofold ;  the  news 
spread  far  and  near,  and  the  very  story  canvassed  the 
county  better  than  Billy  Davern  himself,  the  Athlone 
attorney. 

This  was  the  prospect  now  before  us ;  and,  however 
little  my  readers  may  sympathize  with  my  taste,  I  must 
honestly  avow  that  I  looked  forward  to  it  with  a  most 
delighted  feeling.  O'Malley  Castle  was  to  be  the  centre  of 
operations,  and  filled  with  my  uncle's  supporters;  while  I, 
a  mere  stripling,  and  usually  treated  as  a  boy,  was  to  be 
entrusted  with  an  important  mission,  and  sent  off  to 
canvass  a  distant  relation,  with  whom  my  uncle  was  not 
upon  terms,  and  who  might  possibly  be  approachable  by 
a  younger  branch  of  the  family,  with  whom  he  had  never 
any  collision. 


Vol.  30-{2) 


12  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 


CHAPTER  IIL 

MR.    BLAKE. 

NOTHING  but  the  exigency  of  the  case  could  ever  have 
persuaded  my  uncle  to  stoop  to  the  humiliation  of  canvass- 
ing the  individual  to  whom  I  was  now  about  to  proceed 
as  envoy  extraordinary,  with  full  powers  to  make  any,  or 
every  amende,  provided  only  his  interest,  and  that  of  his 
followers,  should  be  thereby  secured  to  the  O'Malley  cause. 
The  evening  before  I  set  out  was  devoted  to  giving  me  all 
the  necessary  instructions  how  I  was  to  proceed,  and  what 
difficulties  I  was  to  avoid. 

"  Say  your  uncle's  in  high  feather  with  the  government 
party,"  said  Sir  Harry,  "  and  that  he  only  votes  against 
them  as  a  ruse  de  guerre^  as  the  French  call  it." 

"  Insist  upon  it  that  I  am  sure  of  the  election  without 
him ;  but  that  for  family  reasons  he  should  not  stand 
aloof  from  me ;  that  people  are  talking  of  it  in  the  country." 

"  And  drop  a  hint,"  said  Considine,  "  that  O'Malley  is 
greatly  improved  in  his  shooting." 

"  And  don't  get  drunk  too  early  in  the  evening,  for  Phil 
Blake  has  beautiful  claret,"  said  another. 

"  And  be  sure  you  don't  make  love  to  the  red-headed 
girls,"  added  a  third;  "  he  has  four  of  them,  each  more 
sinfully  ugly  than  the  other." 

"  You'll  be  playing  whist,  too,"  said  Boyle  ;  "  and  never 
mind  losing  a  few  pounds.  Mrs.  B.,  long  life  to  her,  has  a 
playful  way  of  turning  the  king." 

"  Charley  will  do  it  all  well,"  said  my  nncle ;  "  leave  him 
alone.  And  now  let  us  have  in  the  supper." 

It  was  only  on  the  following  morning,  as  the  tandem 
came  round  to  the  door,  that  I  began  to  feel  the  import- 
ance of  my  mission,  and  certain  misgivings  came  over  me 
as  to  my  ability  to  fulfil  it.  Mr.  Blake  and  his  family, 
though  estranged  from  my  uncle  for  several  years  past, 
had  been  always  most  kind  and  good-natured  to  me ;  and 


MR.    BLAKE.  13 

although  I  could  not,  with  propriety,  have  cultivated  any 
close  intimacy  with  them,  1  had  every  reason  to  suppose 
that  they  entertained  towards  me  nothing  but  sentiments 
of  goodwill.  The  head  of  the  family  was  a  Galway  squire 
of  the  oldest  and  most  genuine  stock ;  a  great  sportsman, 
a  negligent  farmer,  and  most  careless  father ;  he  looked 
upon  a  fox  as  an  infinitely  more  precious  part  of  the  crea- 
tion than  a  French  governess ;  and  thought  that  riding 
well  with  hounds  was  a  far  better  gift  than  all  the  learn- 
ing of  a  Person.  His  daughters  were  after  his  own  heart—- 
the best  tempered,  least  educated,  most  high-spirited,  gay, 
dashing  ugly  girls  in  the  country — ready  to  ride  over  a 
four-foot  paling  without  a  saddle,  and  to  dance  the  "  Wind 
that  shakes  the  barley,"  for  four  consecutive  hours,  against 
all  the  officers  that  their  hard  fate,  and  the  Horse  Guards, 
ever  condemned  to  Galway. 

The  mamma  was  only  remarkable  for  her  liking  for 
whist,  and  her  invariable  good  fortune  thereat ;  a  circum- 
stance the  world  were  agreed  in  ascribing  less  to  the  blind 
goddess  than  her  own  natural  endowments. 

Lastly,  the  heir  of  the  house  was  a  stripling  of  about 
my  own  age,  whose  accomplishments  were  limited  to  sell- 
ing spavined  and  broken-winded  horses  to  the  infantry 
officers,  playing  a  safe  game  at  billiards,  and  acting  as 
jackal-general  to  his  sisters  at  balls,  providing  them  with 
a  sufficiency  of  partners,  and  making  a  strong  fight  for  a 
place  at  the  supper-table  for  his  mother.  These  fraternal 
and  filial  traits,  more  honoured  at  home  than  abroad,  had 
made  Mr.  Matthew  Blake  a  rather  well-known  individual 
in  the  neighbourhood  where  he  lived. 

Though  Mr.  Blake's  property  was  ample,  and,  strange 
to  say  for  his  county,  unencumbered,  the  whole  air  and 
appearance  of  his  house  and  grounds  betrayed  anything 
rather  than  a  sufficiency  of  means.  The  gate  lodge  was  a 
miserable  mud  hovel,  with  a  thatched  and  falling  roof ;  the 
gate  itself,  a  wooden  contrivance,  one  half  of  which  was 
boarded,  and  the  other  railed ;  the  avenue  was  covered 
with  weeds,  and  deep  with  ruts,  and  the  clumps  of  young 
plantation,  which  had  been  planted  and  fenced  with  care, 
were  now  open  to  the  cattle,  and  either  totally  uprooted 
or  denuded  of  their  bark,  and  dying.  The  lawn,  a  hand- 
some one  of  some  forty  acres,  had  been  devoted  to  an 


14  CHARLES  O'MALLET. 

exercise-ground  for  training  horses,  and  was  cut  up  by 
their  feet  beyond  all  semblance  of  its  original  destination ; 
and  the  house  itself,  a  large  and  venerable  structure  of 
above  a  century  old,  displayed  every  variety  of  contrivance, 
as  well  as  the  usual  one  of  glass,  to  exclude  the  weather. 
The  hall-door  hung  by  a  single  hinge,  and  required  three 
persons  each  morning  and  evening  to  open  and  shut  it ; 
the  remainder  of  the  day  it  lay  pensively  open ;  the  steps 
which  led  to  it  were  broken  and  falling ;  and  the  whole 
aspect  of  things  without  was  ruinous  in  the  extreme. 
Within,  matters  were  somewhat  better,  for,  though  the 
furniture  was  old,  and  none  of  it  clean,  yet  an  appearance 
of  comfort  was  evident ;  and  the  large  grate,  blazing  with 
its  pile  of  red-hot  turf,  the  deep-cushioned  chairs,  the  old 
black  mahogany  dinner-table,  and  the  soft  carpet,  albeit 
deep  with  dust,  were  not  to  be  despised  on  a  winter's 
evening,  after  a  hard  day's  run  with  the  "  Blazers."  Here 
it  was,  however,  that  Mr.  Philip  Blake  had  dispensed  his 
hospitalities  for  above  fifty  years,  and  his  father  before 
him,  and  here,  with  a  retinue  of  servants  as  gauches  and 
ill- ordered  as  all  about  them,  was  he  accustomed  to  invite 
all  that  the  county  possessed  of  rank  and  wealth,  among 
which  the  officers  quartered  in  his  neighbourhood  were 
never  neglected,  the  Miss  Blakes  having  as  decided  a 
taste  for  the  army  as  any  young  ladies  of  the  west  of  Ire- 
land ;  and,  while  the  Galway  squire,  with  his  cords  and 
tops,  was  detailing  the  last  news  from  Ballinasloe  in  one 
corner,  the  dandy  from  St.  James's  Street  might  be  seen 
displaying  more  arts  of  seductive  flattery  in  another  than 
his  most  accurate  insouciance  would  permit  him  to  practise 
in  the  elegant  saloons  of  London  or  Paris :  and  the  same 
man  who  would  have  "  cut  his  brother,"  for  a  solecism  of 
dress  or  equipage,  in  Bond  Street,  was  now  to  be  seen 
quietly  domesticated,  eating  family  dinners,  rolling  silk 
for  the  young  ladies,  going  down  the  middle  in  a  country 
dance,  and  even  descending  to  the  indignity  of  long  whist, 
at  "  tenpenny  "  points,  with  only  the  miserable  consolation 
that  the  company  were  not  honest. 

It  was  upon  a  clear  frosty  morning,  when  a  bright  blue 
sky  and  a  sharp  but  bracing  air  seem  to  exercise  upon  the 
feelings  »  sense  no  less  pleasurable  than  the  balmiest  breeze 
ftnd  warmest  sun  of  summer,  that  I  whipped  my  leader 


MB.   BLAKB.  15 

short  round,  and  entered  the  precincts  of  "  Gurt-na- 
Morra."  As  I  proceeded  along  the  avenue,  I  was  struck 
by  the  slight  traces  of  repairs  here  and  there  evident ;  a 
gate  or  two  that  formerly  had  been  parallel  to  the  horizon, 
had  been  raised  to  the  perpendicular ;  some  ineffectual 
efforts  at  paint  were  also  perceptible  upon  the  palings  ; 
and,  in  short,  everything  seemed  to  have  undergone  a  kind 
of  attempt  at  improvement. 

When  I  reached  the  door,  instead  of  being  surrounded, 
as  of  old,  by  a  tribe  of  menials  frieze-coated,  bare-headed, 
and  bare-legged,  my  presence  was  announced  by  a  tre- 
mendous ringing  of  bells,  from  the  hands  of  an  old  func- 
tionary, in  a  very  formidable  livery,  who  peeped  at  me 
through  the  hall-window,  and  whom,  with  the  greatest 
difficulty,  I  recognized  as  my  quondam  acquaintance,  the 
butler.  His  wig  alone  would  have  graced  a  king's  counsel, 
and  the  high  collar  of  his  coat,  and  the  stiff  pillory  of  his 
cravat,  denoted  an  eternal  adieu  to  so  humble  a  vocation 
as  drawing  a  cork.  Before  1  had  time  for  any  conjecture 
as  to  the  altered  circumstances  about,  the  activity  of  my 
friend  at  tne  bell  had  surrounded  me  with  "  four  others 
worse  than  himself,"  at  least,  they  were  exactly  similarly 
attired  ;  and,  probably,  from  the  novelty  of  their  costume, 
and  the  restraints  of  so  unusual  a  thing  as  dress,  were  as 
perfectly  unable  to  assist  themselves  or  others,  as  the 
Court  of  Aldermen  would  be,  were  they  to  rig  out  in  plate 
armour  of  the  fourteenth  century.  How  much  longer  I 
might  have  gone  on  conjecturing  the  reasons  for  the  mas- 
querade around,  I  cannot  say ;  but  my  servant,  an  Irish 
disciple  of  my  uncle's,  whispered  in  my  ear — "It's  a 
red-breeches  day,  Master  Charles— they'll  have  the  hoith 
of  company  in  the  house."  From  the  phrase,  it  needed 
little  explanation  to  inform  me  that  it  was  one  of  those 
occasions  on  which  Mr.  Blake  attired  all  the  hangers-on  of 
his  house  in  livery,  and  that  great  preparations  were  in 
progress  for  a  more  than  usually  splendid  reception. 

In  the  next  moment  I  was  ushered  into  the  breakfast- 
room,  where  a  party  of  above  a  dozen  persons  were  most 
gaily  enjoying  all  the  good  cheer  for  which  the  house  had 
a  well-deserved  repute.  After  the  usual  shaking  of  hands 
and  hearty  greetings  were  over,  I  was  introduced  in  all 
form  to  Sir  George  Dashwood,  a  tall  and  singularly 


16  CHARLES  O'M  ALLEY. 

handsome  man  of  about  fifty,  with  an  undress  military 
frock  and  ribbon.  His  reception  of  me  was  somewhat 
strange,  for,  as  they  mentioned  my  relationship  to  Godfrey 
O'Malley,  he  smiled  slightly,  and  whispered  something  to 
Mr.  Blake,  who  replied,  "  Oh !  no,  no  ;  not  the  least.  A 

mere  boy ;  and  besides "  What  he  added  I  lost,  for 

at  that  moment  Nora  Blake  was  presenting  me  to  Miss 
Dashwood. 

If  the  sweetest  blue  eyes  that  ever  beamed  beneath  a 
forehead  of  snowy  whiteness,  over  which  dark  brown  and 
waving  hair  fell,  less  in  curls  than  masses  of  locky  rich- 
ness, could  only  have  known  what  wild  work  they  were 
making  of  my  poor  heart,  Miss  Dashwood,  I  trust,  would 
have  looked  at  her  teacup  or  her  muffin  rather  than  at  me, 
as  she  actually  did  on  that  fatal  morning.  If  I  were  to 
judge  from  her  costume,  she  had  only  just  arrived,  and 
the  morning  air  had  left  upon  her  cheek  a  bloom  that 
contributed  greatly  to  the  effect  of  her  lovely  countenance. 
Although  very  young,  her  form  had  all  the  roundness  of 
womanhood  ;  while  her  gay  and  sprightly  manner  indicated 
all  the  sans  gene  which  only  very  young  girls  possess,  and 
which,  when  tempe.  ed  with  perfect  good  taste,  and  accom- 
panied by  beauty  and  no  small  share  of  talent,  forms  an 
irresistible  power  of  attraction. 

Beside  her  sat  a  tall,  handsome  man  of  about  five-and- 
thirty,  or  perhaps  forty  years  of  age,  with  a  most  soldierly 
air,  who,  as  I  was  presented  to  him,  scarcely  turned  his 
head,  and  gave  me*  a  half-nod  of  very  unequivocal  cold- 
ness. There  are  moments  in  life,  in  which  the  heart  is, 
as  it  were,  laid  bare  to  any  chance  or  casual  impression 
with  a  wondrous  sensibility  of  pleasure  or  its  opposite. 
This  to  me  was  one  of  those ;  and,  as  I  turned  from  the 
lovely  girl,  who  had  received  me  with  a  marked  courtesy, 
to  the  cold  air,  and  repelling  hauteur  of  the  dark-browod 
captain,  the  blood  rushed  throbbing  to  my  forehead  ;  and 
as  I  walked  to  my  place  at  the  table,  I  eagerly  sought  his 
eye,  to  return  him  a  look  of  defiance  and  disdain,  proud 
and  contemptuous  as  his  own.  Captain  Hammersley, 
however,  never  took  further  notice  of  me,  but  continued 
to  recount,  for  the  amusement  of  those  about  him,  several 
excellent  stories  of  his  military  career,  which,  I  confess, 
were  heard  with  every  test  of  delight  by  all  save  me.  One 


MB.    BLAKE .  17 

thing  galled  me  particularly — and  how  easy  is  it,  when 
you  have  begun  by  disliking  a  person,  to  supply  food  for 
your  antipathy — all  his  allusions  to  his  military  life  were 
coupled  with  half  hinted  and  ill-concealed  sneers  at 
civilians  of  every  kind,  as  though  every  man  not  a  soldier 
were  absolutely  unfit  for  common  intercourse  with  the 
world — still  more  for  any  favourable  reception  in  ladies' 
society. 

The  young  ladies  of  the  family  were  a  well-chosen 
auditory,  for  their  admiration  of  the  army  extended  from 
the  Life  Guards  to  the  Veteran  Battalion,  the  Sappers  and 
Miners  included ;  and,  as  Miss  Dashwood  was  the  daughter 
of  a  soldier,  she,  of  course,  coincided  in  many,  if  not  all 
his  opinions.  I  turned  towards  my  neighbour,  a  Clare 
gentleman,  and  tried  to  engage  him  in  conversation,  but 
he  was  breathlessly  attending  to  the  Captain.  On  my  left 
sat  Matthew  Blake,  whose  eyes  were  firmly  riveted  upon 
the  same  person,  and  heard  his  marvels  with  an  interest 
scarcely  inferior  to  that  of  his  sisters.  Annoyed,  and  in 
ill-temper,  I  ate  my  breakfast  in  silence,  and  resolved  that, 
the  first  moment  I  could  obtain  a  hearing  from  Mr.  Blake, 
I  would  open  my  negotiation,  and  take  my  leave  at  once 
of  Gurt-na-Morra. 

We  all  assembled  in  a  large  room,  called,  by  courtesy, 
the  library,  when  breakfast  was  over ;  and  then  it  was 
that  Mr.  Blake,  taking  me  aside,  whispered,  "  Charley, 
it's  right  I  should  inform  you  that  Sir  George  Dash- 
wood  there  is  the  Commander  of  the  Forces,  and  is  come 

down  here  at  this  moment  to "  What  for,  or  how  it 

should  concern  me,  I  was  not  to  learn ;  for,  at  that  critical 
instant,  my  informant's  attention  was  called  off  by  Captain 
Hammersley  asking  if  the  hounds  were  to  hunt  that  day. 

"  My  friend  Charley,  here,  is  the  best  authority  upon 
that  matter,"  said  Mr.  Blake,  turning  towards  me. 

"  They  are  to  try  the  priest's  meadows,"  said  I,  with  an 
air  of  some  importance;  "but,  if  your  guests  desire  a  day's 
sport,  I'll  send  word  over  to  Brackely  to  bring  the  doga 
over  here,  and  we  are  sure  to  find  a  fox  in  your  cover." 

"  Oh,  then,  by  all  means,"  said  the  Captain,  turning 
towards  Mr.  Blake,  and  addressing  himself  to  him — "  by 
all  means  ;  and  Miss  Dashwood,  I'm  sure,  would  like  to 
§ee  the  hounds  throw  off." 


18  CHARLES  O'MALLBY. 

Whatever  chagrin  the  first  part  of  his  speech  caused 
mo,  the  latter  sent  my  heart  a  throbbing;  and  I  hastened 
from  the  room  to  despatch  a  messenger  to  the  huntsman 
to  come  over  to  Gurt-na-Morra,  and  also  another  to 
O'Malley  Castle,  to  bring  my  best  horse  and  my  riding 
equipments,  as  quickly  as  possible. 

''  Matthew,  who  is  this  Captain  ? "  said  I,  as  young 
Blake  met  me  in  the  hall. 

"  Oh  !  he  is  the  aide-de-camp  of  General  Dashwood.  A 
nice  fellow,  isn't  he  ?  " 

"  I  don't  know  what  you  may  think,"  said  I,  "  but  I 
take  him  for  the  most  impertinent,  impudent,  super- 
cilious  " 

The  rest  of  my  civil  speech  was  cut  short  by  the  appear- 
ance of  the  very  individual  in  question,  who,  with  his  hands 
in  his  pockets  and  a  cigar  in  his  mouth,  sauntered  forth  down 
the  steps,  taking  no  more  notice  of  Matthew  Blake  and 
myself  than  the  two  fox  terriers  that  followed  at  his  heels. 

However  anxious  I  might  be  to  open  negotiations  on 
;he  subject  of  my  mission,  for  the  present  the  thing  was 
Impossible;  for  I  found  that  Sir  George  Dashwood  was 
jjloseted  closely  with  Mr.  Blake,  and  resolved  to  wait  till 
evening,  when  chance  might  afford  me  the  opportunity  I 
desired. 

As  the  ladies  had  retired  to  dress  for  the  hunt,  and  as  I 
felt  no  peculiar  desire  to  ally  myself  with  the  unsocial 
Captain,  I  accompanied  Matthew  to  the  stable  to  look 
after  the  cattle,  and  make  preparations  for  the  coming  sport. 

"  There's  Captain  Hammersley's  mare,"  said  Matthew, 
as  he  pointed  out  a  highly  bred  but  powerful  English 
hunter ;  "  she  came  last  night,  for,  as  he  expected  some 
sport,  he  sent  his  horses  from  Dublin  on  purpose.  Th« 
others  will  be  here  to-day." 

"  What  is  his  regiment ! "  said  I,  with  an  appearance 
of  carelessness,  but  in  reality  feeling  curious  to  know  if 
ihe  Captain  was  a  cavalry  or  infantry  officer. 

"  The  — th  Light  Dragoons,"  said  Matthew. 

"  You  never  saw  him  ride  ?  "  said  I. 

"  But  his  groom  there  says  he  leads  the  way  in  his  own 
country." 

"  And  where  may  that  be  ?  " 

•*  In  Leicestershire,  no  less,"  said  Matthew. 


MB.  BLAKE.  19 

**  Does  he  know  Galway  ?  " 

"  Never  was  in  it  before  ;  it's  only  this  minute  he  asked 
Mosey  Daly  if  the  ox-fences  were  high  here." 

"  Ox-fences  !  then  he  does  not  know  what  a  wall  is  P  " 

"Devil  a  bit;  but  we'll  teach  him." 

"  That  we  will,"  said  I,  with  as  bitter  a  resolution  to 
impart  the  instruction  as  ever  schoolmaster  did  to  whip 
Latin  grammar  into  one  of  the  great  unbreeched. 

"  But  I  had  better  send  the  horses  down  to  the  Mill," 
said  Matthew  ;  "  we'll  draw  that  cover  first." 

So  saying,  he  turned  towards  the  stable,  while  I  saun- 
tered alone  towards  the  road,  by  which  I  expected  the 
huntsman.  I  had  not  walked  half  a  mile  before  I  heard 
the  yelping  of  the  dogs,  and,  a  little  farther  on,  I  saw  old 
Brackely  coming  along  at  a  brisk  trot,  cutting  the  hounds 
on  each  side,  and  calling  after  the  stragglers. 

"Did  you  see  my  horse  on  the  road,  Brackely?"  said  I. 

"I  did,  Misther  Charles,  and,  troth,  I'm  sorry  to  see 
him ;  sure  yerself  knows  better  than  to  take  out  the  Badger, 
the  best  steeple-chaser  in  Ireland,  in  such  a  country  as 
this ;  nothing  but  awkward  stone- fences,  and  not  a  foot  of 
sure  ground  in  the  whole  of  it." 

"  I  know  it  well,  Brackely ;  but  I  have  my  reasons  for  it." 

"  Well,  maybe  you  have  ;  what  cover  will  your  honour 
try  first '!  " 

"  They  talk  of  the  Mill,"  said  I,  "but  I'd  much  rather 
try  '  Morran  a-Gowl.' " 

"  Morran-a-Gowl !  do  you  want  to  break  your  neck 
entirely  ?" 

"  No,  Brackely,  not  mine." 

"  Whose  then,  alannah  ?" 

"An  English  captain's,  the  devil  fly  away  with  him; 
he's  come  down  here  to-day,  and  from  all  I  can  see  is  a 
most  impudent  fellow  ;  so,  Brackely " 

"  I  understand.  Well,  leave  it  to  me,  and,  though  I 
don't  like  the  only  deer-park  wall  on  the  hill,  we'll  try  it 
this  morning  with  the  blessing ;  I'll  take  him  down  by 
Woodford,  over  the  '  Devil's  Mouth,' — it's  eighteen  feet 
wide  this  minute  with  the  late  rains — into  the  four  callows ; 
then  over  the  stone  walls,  down  to  Dangan ;  then  take  a 
short  cast  up  the  hill,  blow  him  a  bit,  and  give  him  the 
park  wall  at  the  top.  You  must  come  in  then  fresh,  and 


20  CHARLES  O'MALLET. 

give  him  the  whole  run  home  over  Sleibhmich  —  the 
Badger  knows  it  all,  and  takes  the  road  always  in  a  fiy, 
— a  mighty  distressing  thing  for  the  horse  that  follows, 
more  particularly  if  he  does  not  understand  a  stony 
country.  Well,  if  he  lives  through  this,  give  him  the 
sunk  fence  and  the  stone  wall  at  Mr.  Blake's  clover-field, 
for  the  hounds  will  run  into  the  fox  about  there;  and 
though  we  never  ride  that  leap  since  Mr.  Malone  broke 
his  neck  at  it,  last  October,  yet,  upon  an  occasion  like  this, 
and  for  the  honour  of  Galway " 

"  To  be  sure,  Brackely,  and  here's  a  guinea  for  you,  and 
now  trot  on  towards  the  house ;  they  must  not  see  us  to- 
gether, or  they  might  suspect  something.  But,  Brackely," 
said  I,  calling  out  after  him,  "  if  he  rides  at  all  fair,  what's 
to  be  done?" 

"  Troth,  then,  myself  doesn't  know  ;  there  is  nothing  so 
bad  west  of  Athlone  ;  have  ye  a  great  spite  again  him  ?  " 

"  I  have,"  said  I,  fiercely. 

"  Could  ye  coax  a  fight  out  of  him  ?  " 

"  That's  true,"  said  I ;  "  and  now  ride  on  as  fast  as  you 
can." 

Brackely's  last  words  imparted  a  lightness  to  my  heart 
and  my  step,  and  I  strode  along  a  very  different  man  from 
what  I  had  left  the  house  half  an  hour  previously. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

THE   HUNT. 

ALTHOUGH  we  had  not  the  advantages  of  a  "southerly  wind 
and  cloudy  sky,"  the  day,  towards  noon,  became  strongly 
overcast,  and  promised  to  afford  us  good  scenting  weather, 
and  as  we  assembled  at  the  meet,  mutual  congratulations 
were  exchanged  upon  the  improved  appearance  of  the  day. 
Young  Blake  had  provided  Miss  Dashwood  with  a  quiet 
and  well-trained  horse,  and  his  sisters  were  all  mounted, 
as  usual,  upon  their  own  animals,  giving  to  our  turn-out 


TIJT5    HUNT.  21 

quite  a  gay  and  lively  aspect.  I  myself  came  to  cover 
upon  a  hackney,  having  sent  Badger  with  a  groom,  and 
longed  ardently  for  the  moment  when,  casting  the  skin  of 
my  great  coat  and  overalls,  I  should  appear  before  the 
world  in  my  well  appointed  "  cords  and  tops."  Captain 
Hammersley  had  not  as  yet  made  his  appearance,  and 
many  conjectures  were  afloat  as  to  whether  "he  might 
have  missed  the  road  or  changed  his  mind,"  or,  "  forgot 
all  about  it,"  as  Miss  Dashwood  hinted. 

"  Who,  pray,  pitched  upon  this  cover  ?  "  said  Caroline 
Blake,  as  she  looked  with  a  practised  eye  over  the  country, 
on  either  side. 

"There  is  no  chance  of  a  fox  late  in  the  day  at  the 
Mill,"  said  the  huntsman,  inventing  a  lie  for  the  occasion. 

"  Then  of  course  you  never  intend  us  to  see  much  of 
the  sport,  for  after  you  break  cover,  you  are  entirely  lost 
to  us." 

"  I  thought  you  always  followed  the  hounds,"  said  Miss 
Dashwood,  timidly. 

"  Oh,  to  be  sure  we  do,  in  any  common  country  ;  but 
here  it  is  out  of  the  question ;  the  fences  are  too  large  for 
any  one,  and,  if  I  am  not  mistaken,  these  gentlemen  will 
not  ride  far  over  this.  There,  look  yonder,  where  the 
river  is  rushing  down  the  hill — that  stream,  widening  as 
it  advances,  crosses  the  cover  nearly  midway;  well,  they 
must  clear  that ;  and  then  you  may  see  these  walls  of  large 
loose  stones,  nearly  five  feet  in  height ;  that  is  the  usual 
course  the  fox  takes,  unless  he  heads  towards  the  hills, 
and  goes  towards  Dangan,  and  then  there's  an  end  of  it; 
for  the  deer-park  wall  is  usually  a  pull-up  to  every  one, 
except,  perhaps,  to  our  friend  Charley  yonder,  who  ha 
tried  his  fortune  against  drowning  more  than  one 
there." 

"Look,  here  he  comes,"  said  Matthew  Blake,  "an 
looking  splendidly  too — a  little  too  much  in  flesh,  perhap 
if  anything." 

"  Captain  Hammersley  I  "  said  the  four  Miss  Blakes,  in 
a  breath,  "  where  is  he  ?  " 

"  No,  it's  the  Badger  I'm  speaking  of,"  said  Matthew, 
laughing,  and  pointing  with  his  finger  towards  a  corner  of 
the  field  where  my  servant  was  leisurely  throwing  down 
a  wall  about  two  feet  high  to  let  him  pass. 


22  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

"  Oh,  how  handsome ! — what  a  charger  for  a  dragoon  I  * 
said  Miss  Dashwood. 

Any  other  mode  of  praising  my  steed  would  have  been 
mnch  more  acceptable.  The  word  dragoon  was  a  thorn 
in  my  tenderest  part,  that  rankled  and  lacerated  at  every 
stir.  In  a  moment  I  was  in  the  saddle,  and  scarcely 
seated,  when  at  once  all  the  mauvais  honte  of  boyhood  left 
me,  and  I  felt  every  inch  a  man.  I  often  look  back  to  thab 
moment  of  my  life,  and,  comparing  it  with  many  similar 
ones,  cannot  help  acknowledging  how  purely  is  the  self- 
possession  which  so  often  wins  success  the  result  of  some 
slight  and  trivial  association.  My  confidence  in  my  horse- 
manship suggested  moral  courage  of  a  very  different 
kind,  and  I  felt  that  Charles  O'Malley  curvetting  upon  a 
thorough-bred,  and  the  same  man  ambling  upon  a  shelty, 
were  two  and  very  dissimilar  individuals. 

"No  chance  of  the  Captain,"  said  Matthew,  who  bad 
returned  from  a  reconnaissance  upon  the  road;  "and  after 
all  it's  a  pity,  for  the  day  is  getting  quite  favourable." 

While  the  young  ladies  formed  pickets  to  look  out  for 
the  gallant  milit'iire,  I  seized  the  opportunity  of  prosecuting 
my  acquaintance  with  Miss  Dashwood ;  and  even  in  the 
few  and  passing  observations  that  fell  from  her,  learned 
how  very  different  an  order  of  being  she  was  from  all  I 
had  hitherto  seen  of  country  belles.  A  mixture  of  courtesy 
with  naivete — a  wish  to  please,  with  a  certain  feminine 
gentleness,  that  always  flatters  a  man,  and  still  more  a  boy 
that  fain  would  be  one — gained  momentarily  more  and  more 
upon  me,  and  put  me  also  on  my  mettle  to  prove  to  my 
fair  companion  that  I  was  not  altogether  a  mere  unculti- 
vated and  unthinking  creature,  like  the  remainder  of  those 
about  me. 

"  Here  he  is,  at  last,"  said  Helen  Blake,  as  she  cantered 
across  a  field,  waving  her  handkerchief  as  a  signal  to  tlie 
Captain,  who  was  now  seen  approaching  at  a  brisk  trot. 

As  he  came  along,  a  small  fence  intervened ;  he  pressed 
his  horse  a  little,  and,  as  he  kissed  hands  to  the  fair  Helen, 
cleared  it  in  a  bound,  and  was  in  an  instant  in  the  midst 
of  us. 

"  He  sits  his  horse  like  a  man,  Misiher  Charles,"  said 
the  old  huntsman,  "  troth,  we  must  give  him  the  worst  bit 
of  it." 


Tint  HURT*  23 

Captain  Hammersley  was,  despite  all  the  critical  acumen 
with  which  I  canvassed  him,  the  very  leau  ideal  of  a 
gentleman  rider ;  indeed,  although  a  very  heavy  man,  his 
powerful  English  thorongh-bred,  showing  not  less  bone 
than  blood,  took  away  all  semblance  of  overweight;  his 
saddle,  well  fitting  and  well  placed ;  his  large  and  broad- 
»eined  snaffle ;  his  own  costume  of  black  coat,  leathers  and 
tops,  was  in  perfect  keeping,  and  even  to  his  heavy-handled 
hunting-whip  I  could  find  nothing  to  cavil  at.  As  he  rode 
up  he  paid  his  respects  to  the  ladies  in  his  nsnal  free  and 
easy  manner,  expressed  some  surprise,  but  no  regret,  at 
hearing  that  he  was  late,  and  never  deigning  any  notice  of 
Matthew  or  myself,  took  his  place  beside  Miss  Dash  wood, 
with  whom  he  conversed  in  a  low  and  under  tone. 

"  There  they  go,"  said  Matthew,  as  five  or  six  dogs,  with 
their  heads  up,  ran  yelping  along  a  furrow,  then  stopped, 
howled  again,  and  once  more  set  off  together.  In  an  instant 
all  was  commotion  in  the  little  valley  below  us.  The  hunts- 
man, with  his  hand  to  his  mouth,  was  calling  off  the  strag- 
glers, and  the  whipper-in  following  up  the  leading  dogs 
with  the  rest  of  the  pack.  "  They've  found! — they're  away!' 
eaid  Matthew ;  and,  as  he  spoke,  a  great  yell  burst  from 
the  valley,  and  in  an  instant  the  whole  pack  were  off  at  full 
speed.  Bather  more  intent  that  moment  upon  showing 
off  my  horsemanship  than  anything  else,  I  dashed  spurs 
into  Badger's  sides,  and  turned  him  towards  a  rasping 
ditch  before  me ;  over  we  went,  hurb'ng  down  behind  us  a 
rotten  bank  of  clay  and  small  stones,  showing  how  little 
safety  there  had  been  in  topping  instead  of  clearing  it  at 
a  bound.  Before  I  was  well  seated  again,  the  Ca  ain  was 
beside  me.  "  Now  for  it,  then,"  said  I ;  and  away  we  went. 
What  might  be  the  nature  of  his  feelings  I  cannot  pretend 
to  state,  but  my  own  were  a  strange  melange  of  wild, 
boyish  enthusiasm,  revenge,  and  recklessness.  For  my  own 
neck  I  cared  little — nothing  ;  and  as  I  led  the  way  by  half 
a  length,  I  muttered  to  myself,  "  Let  him  follow  me  fairly 
this  day,  and  I  ask  no  more." 

The  dogs  had  got  somewhat  the  start  of  ns,  and,  as  they 
were  in  full  cry,  and  going  fast,  we  were  a  little  behind. 
A  thought  therefore  struck  me  that,  by  appearing  to  take 
a  short  cut  upon  the  hounds,  I  should  come  down  upon  the 
river  where  its  breadth  was  greatest,  and  thus,  at  one  coup, 


24  CHARLES  O'MALLET. 

might  try  my  friend's  mettle  and  his  horse's  performance 
at  the  same  time.  On  we  went,  our  speed  increasing,  till 
the  roar  of  the  river  we  were  now  approaching  was  plainly 
audible.  I  looked  half  around,  and  now  perceived  the 
Captain  was  standing  in  his  stirrups,  as  if  to  obtain  a  view 
of  what  was  before  him ;  otherwise  his  countenance  was 
calm  and  unmoved,  and  not  a  muscle  betrayed  that  he  was 
not  cantering  on  a  parade.  I  fixed  myself  firm  in  my  seat, 
shook  my  horse  a  little  together,  and  with  a  shout  whose 
import  every  Galway  hunter  well  knows,  rushed  him  at  the 
river.  I  saw  the  water  dashing  among  the  large  stones,  I 
heard  its  splash,  I  felt  a  bound  like  the  ricochet  of  a  shot, 
and  we  were  over,  but  so  narrowly,  that  the  bank  had 
yielded  beneath  his  hind  legs,  and  it  needed  a  bold 
effort  of  the  noble  animal  to  regain  his  footing.  Scarcely 
was  he  once  more  firm,  when  Hammersley  Hew  bv  me, 
taking  the  lead,  and  sitting  quietly  in  his  saddle,  as 
if  racing.  I  know  of  little  in  all  my  after-life  like 
the  agony  of  that  moment ;  for  although  I  was  far,  very 
far  from  wishing  real  ill  to  him,  yet  I  would  gladly  have 
broken  my  leg  or  my  arm  if  he  could  not  have  been  able 
to  follow  me.  And  now,  there  he  was,  actually  a  length 
and  a  half  in  advance  !  and,  worse  than  all,  Miss  Dashwood 
must  have  witnessed  the  whole,  and  doubtless  his  leap  over 
the  river  was  better  and  bolder  than  mine.  One  consola- 
tion yet  remained,  and  while  I  whispered  it  to  myself  I 
felt  comforted  again.  "  His  is  an  English  mare — they 
understand  these  leaps — but  what  can  he  make  of  a  Galway 
wall?"  The  question  was  soon  to  be  solved.  Before 
us,  about  three  fields,  were  the  hounds  still  in  full  cry  ;  a 
large  stone  wall  lay  between  and  to  it  we  both  directed 
our  course  together.  "  Ha !  "  thought  I,  "  he  is  floored  at 
last,"  as  I  perceived  that  the  Captain  held  his  horse  rather 
more  in  hand,  and  suft'ered  me  to  lead.  "  Now,  then,  fLr 
it!  "  So  saying,  I  rode  at  the  largest  part  I  could  find, 
well  knowing  that  Badger's  powers  were  here  in  their 
element.  One  spring,  one  plunge,  and  away  we  were, 
galloping  along  at  the  other  side.  Not  so  the  Captain ; 
his  horse  had  refused  the  fence,  and  he  was  now  taking  a 
circuit  of  the  field  for  another  trial  of  it. 

"  Pounded,  by  Jove  !  "  said  I,  as  I  turned  round  in  my 
saddle  to  observe  him.     Once  more  she  came  at  it,  and 


THE  HUNT.  25 

once  more  baulked,  rearing  up  at  the  same  time,  almost  so 
as  to  fall  backward. 

My  triumph  was  complete,  and  I  again  was  about  to  fol- 
low the  hounds,  when,  throwing  a  look  back,  I  saw  Ham- 
mersley  clearing  the  wall  in  a  most  splendid  manner,  and 
taking  a  stretch  of  at  least  thirteen  feet  beyond  it.  Once 
more  he  was  on  my  flanks,  and  the  contest  renewed.  What- 
ever might  be  the  sentiments  of  the  riders  (mine  I  con- 
fess to),  between  the  horses  it  now  became  a  tremendous 
struggle.  The  English  mare,  though  evidently  superior  in 
stride  and  strength,  was  elightly  overweighted,  and  had  not, 
besides,  that  cat-like  activity  an  Irish  horse  possesses ;  so 
that  the  advantages  and  disadvantages  on  either  side  were 
about  equalized.  For  about  half  an  hour  now  the  pace 
was  awful.  We  rode  side  by  side,  taking  our  leaps  exactly 
at  the  same  instant,  and  not  four  feet  apart.  The  hounds 
were  still  considerably  in  advance,  and  were  heading 
towards  the  Shannon,  when  suddenly  the  fox  doubled, 
took  the  hill-side,  and  made  for  Dangan.  "Now,  then, 
comes  the  trial  of  strength,"  I  said,  half-aloud,  as  I  threw 
my  eye  up  a  steep  and  rugged  mountain,  covered  with  wild 
furze  and  tall  heath,  around  the  crest  of  which  ran,  in  a 
zig-zag  direction,  a  broken  and  dilapidated  wall,  once  the 
enclosure  of  a  deer-park.  This  wall,  which  varied  from 
four  to  six  feet  in  height,  was  of  solid  masonry,  and  would, 
in  the  most  favourable  ground,  have  been  a  bold  leap. 
Here,  at  the  summit  of  a  mountain,  with  not  a  yard  of 
footing,  it  was  absolutely  desperation. 

By  the  time  that  we  reached  the  foot  of  the  hill,  the 
fox,  followed  closely  by  the  hounds,  had  passed  through  a 
breach  in  the  wall,  while  Matthew  Blake,  with  the  hunts- 
men and  whipper-in,  were  riding  along  in  search  of  a  gap 
to  lead  the  horses  through.  Before  I  put  spurs  to  Badger, 
to  face  the  hill,  I  turned  one  look  towards  Hammersley. 
There  was  a  slight  curl,  half-smile,  half-sneer  upon  his  lip, 
that  actually  maddened  me,  and  had  a  precipice  yawned 
beneath  my  feet,  I  should  have  dashed  at  it  after  that. 
The  ascent  was  so  steep  that  I  was  obliged  to  take  the  hill 
in  a  slanting  direction,  and  even  thus,  the  loose  footing 
rendered  it  dangerous  in  the  extreme. 

At  length  I  reached  the  crest,  where  the  wall,  more 
than  five  feet  in  height,  stood  frowning  above  and  seeming 


26  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

to  defy  me.  I  turned  my  horse  full  round,  so  that  his  very 
chest  almost  touched  the  stones,  and,  with  a  bold  cut  of 
the  whip  and  a  loud  halloo,  the  gallant  animal  rose,  as  if 
rearing,  pawed  for  an  instant  to  regain  his  balance,  and 
then,  with  a  frightful  struggle,  fell  backwards,  and  rolled 
from  top  to  bottom  of  the  hill,  carrying  me  along  with 
him  ;  the  last  object  that  crossed  my  sight,  as  I  lay  bruised 
and  motionless,  being  the  Captain,  as  he  took  the  wall  in 
a  flying  leap,  and  disappeared  at  the  other  side.  After  a 
few  scrambling  efforts  to  rise,  Badger  regained  his  legs 
and  stood  beside  me ;  but  such  was  the  shock  and  con- 
cussion of  my  fall,  that  all  the  objects  around  seemed 
wavering  and  floating  before  me,  while  showers  of  bright 
sparks  fell  in  myriads  before  my  eyes.  I  tried  to  rise,  but 
fell  back  helpless.  Cold  perspiration  broke  over  my  fore- 
head, and  I  fainted.  Prom  that  moment  I  can  remembe* 
nothing,  till  I  felt  myself  galloping  along  at  full  speed 
upon  a  level  table-land,  with  the  hounds  about  three  fields 
in  advance,  Hammersley  riding  foremost,  and  taking  all 
his  leaps  coolly  as  ever.  As  I  swayed  to  either  side  upon 
my  saddle,  from  weakness,  I  was  lost  to  all  thought  or 
recollection,  save  a  flickering  memory  of  some  plan  of 
vengeance,  which  still  urged  me  forward.  The  chase  had 
now  lasted  above  an  hour,  and  both  hounds  and  horses 
began  to  feel  the  pace  at  which  they  were  going.  As  for 
me,  I  rode  mechanically ;  I  neither  knew  nor  cared  for  the 
dangers  before  me.  My  eye  rested  on  but  one  object ;  my 
whole  being  was  concentrated  upon  one  vague  and  unde- 
fined sense  of  revenge.  At  this  instant  the  huntsman 
came  alongside  of  me. 

"  Are  you  hurted,  Misther  Charles  ?  did  you  fall  ? — your 
cheek  is  all  blood,  and  your  coat  is  torn  in  two;  and, 
Mother  o'  God,  his  boot  is  ground  to  powder ;  he  does  not 
hear  me.  Oh,  pull  up — pull  up,  for  the  love  of  the  Virgin : 
there's  the  clover  field,  and  the  sunk  fence  before  you,  and 
you'll  be  killed  on  the  spot." 

"  Where  ?"  cried  I,  with  the  cry  of  a  madman,  "  where's 
the  clover  field  ? — where's  the  sunk  fence  ?  Ha !  I  see 
it — I  see  it  now." 

So  saying,  I  dashed  the  rowels  into  my  horse's  flanks, 
and  in  an  instant  was  beyond  the  reach  of  the  poor  fellow's 
remonstrances.  Another  moment,  I  was  beside  the  Captain 


THE   HUNT.  27 

He  turned  round  as  I  came  up  ;  the  same  smile  was  npon 
his  mouth — I  could  have  struck  him  About  three  hun- 
dred yards  before  us  lay  the  sunk  fence :  its  breadth  was 
about  twenty  feet,  and  a  wall  of  close  brickwork  formed 
its  face.  Over  this  the  hounds  were  now  clambering ; 
some  succeeded  in  crossing,  but  by  far  the  greater  number 
fell  back  howling  into  the  ditch. 

I  turned  towards  Hammersley.  He  was  standing  high  in 
his  stirrups,  and,  as  he  looked  towards  the  yawning  fence, 
down  which  the  dogs  were  tumbling  in  masses,  I  thought 
(perhaps  it  was  but  a  thought)  that  his  cheek  was  paler. 
I  looked  again,  he  was  pulling  at  his  horse ;  ha !  it  was 
true  then,  he  would  not  face  it.  I  turned  round  in  my 
saddle — looked  him  full  in  the  face,  and,  as  I  pointed  with 
my  whip  to  the  leap,  called  out  in  a  voice  hoarse  with 
passion,  "Come  on."  I  saw  no  more.  All  objects  were 
lost  to  me  from  that  moment.  When  next  my  senses 
cleared  I  was  standing  amid  the  dogs,  where  they  had 
just  killed.  Badger  stood  blown  and  trembling  beside  me, 
his  head  drooping,  and  his  flanks  gored  with  spur-marks. 
I  looked  about,  but  all  consciousness  of  the  past  had  fled  ; 
the  concussion  of  my  fall  had  shaken  my  intellect,  and  I 
was  like  one  but  half  awake.  One  glimpse,  short  and 
fleeting,  of  what  was  taking  place,  shot  through  my  brain, 
as  old  Brackely  whispered  to  me,  "  By  my  soul  ye  did  for 
the  Captain  there."  I  turned  a  vague  look  upon  him,  and 
my  eyes  fell  upon  the  figure  of  a  man  that  lay  stretched 
and  bleeding  upon  a  door  before  me.  His  pale  face  was 
crossed  with  a  purple  stream  of  blood,  that  trickled  from 
a  wound  beside  his  eyebrow ;  his  arms  lay  motionless  and 
heavily  at  either  side.  I  knew  him  not.  A  loud  report 
of  a  pistol  aroused  me  from  my  stupor ;  I  looked  back. 
I  saw  a  crowd  that  broke  suddenly  asunder,  and  fled  right 
and  left.  I  heard  a  heavy  crash  upon  the  ground  ;  I 
pointed  with  my  finger,  for  I  could  not  utter  a  word. 

"  It  is  the  English  mare,  yer  honour ;  she  was  a  beauty 
this  morning,  but  she's  broke  her  shoulder-bone,  and  both 
her  legs,  and  it  was  best  to  put  her  out  of  pain." 


28  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 


CHAPTER  V. 

CHI    DRAWING-ROOM. 

ON  the  fourth  day  following  the  adventure  detailed  in  the 
last  chapter  I  made  my  appearance  in  the  drawing-room ; 
my  cheek  well  blanched  by  copious  bleeding,  and  my  step 
tottering  and  uncertain.  On  entering  the  room  I  looked 
about  in  vain  for  some  one  who  might  give  me  an  insight 
into  the  occurences  of  the  four  preceding  days,  but  no  one 
was  to  be  met  with.  The  ladies,  I  learned,  were  out 
riding ;  Matthew  was  buying  a  new  setter ;  Mr.  Blake 
was  canvassing ;  and  Captain  Hammersley  was  in  bed. 
Where  was  Miss  Dashwood? — in  her  room;  and  Sir 
George  ? — he  was  with  Mr.  Blake. 

"What!  canvassing  too  ?" 

"  Troth,  that  same  was  possible,"  was  the  intelligent 
reply  of  the  old  butler,  at  which  I  could  not  help  smiling. 
I  sat  down,  therefore,  in  the  easiest  chair  I  could  find, 
and,  unfolding  the  county  paper,  resolved  upon  learning 
how  matters  were  going  on  in  the  political  world.  But, 
somehow,  whether  the  editor  was  not  brilliant,  or  the  fire 
was  hot,  or  that  my  own  dreams  were  pleasanter  to  in- 
dulge in  than  his  fancies,  I  fell  sound  asleep. 

How  differently  is  the  mind  attuned  to  the  active  busy 
world  of  thought  and  action,  when  awakened  from  sleep 
by  any  sudden  and  rude  summons  to  arise  and  be  stirring, 
and  when  called  into  existence  by  the  sweet  and  silvery  notes 
of  softest  music,  stealing  over  the  senses,  and  while  they 
impart  awakening  thoughts  of  bliss  and  beauty,  scarcely 
dissipating  the  dreary  influence  of  slumber !  Such  was 
my  first  thought  as,  with  closed  lids,  the  thrilling  chords 
of  a  harp  broke  upon  my  sleep,  and  aroused  me  to  a 
feeling  of  unutterable  pleasure.  I  turned  gently  round 
in  my  chair,  and  beheld  Miss  Dashwood.  She  was  seated 
in  a  recess  of  an  old-fashioned  window ;  the  pale  yello-vr 
glow  of  a  wintry  sun  at  evening  fell  upon  her  beautiful 
hair,  and  tinged  it  with  such  a  light  as  I  have  often  since 


THE    DRAWING-ROOM.  29 

then  seen  in  Rembrandt's  pictures  ;  her  head  leaned  npon 
the  harp,  and,  as  she  struck  its  chords  at  random,  I  saw 
that  her  mind  was  far  away  from  all  around  her.  As  I 
looked,  she  suddenly  started  from  her  leaning  attitude, 
and,  parting  back  her  curls  from  her  brow,  she  preluded  a 
few  chords,  and  then  sighed  forth,  rather  than  sang,  that 
most  beautiful  of  Moore's  Melodies, — 

"  She  is  far  from  the  land  where  her  young  hero  sleeps." 

l^ever  before  had  such  pathos,  such  deep  utterance  of 
feeling,  met  my  astonished  sense  ;  I  listened  breathlessly 
as  the  tears  fell  one  by  one  down  my  cheek ;  my  bosom 
heaved  and  fell ;  and,  when  she  ceased,  I  hid  my  head 
between  my  hands  and  sobbed  aloud.  In  an  instant  she  was 
beside  me,  and  placing  her  hand  upon  my  shoulder,  said, — 

"  Poor  dear  boy,  I  never  suspected  you  of  being  there, 
or  I  should  not  have  sung  that  mournful  air." 

I  started  and  looked  up,  and  from  what  I  know  not, 
but  she  suddenly  crimsoned  to  her  very  forehead,  while 
she  added  in  a  less  assured  tone, — 

"  I  hope,  Mr.  O'Malley,  that  you  are  much  better,  and 
I  trust  there  is  no  imprudence  in  your  being  here." 

"  For  the  latter  I  shall  not  answer,"  said  I,  with  a 
sickly  smile ;  "  but  already  I  feel  your  music  has  done 
me  service." 

"  Then  let  me  sing  more  for  you." 

"  If  I  am  to  have  a  choice,  I  should  say,  sit  down,  and 
let  me  hear  you  talk  to  me.  My  illness  and  the  doctor 
together  have  made  wild  work  of  my  poor  brain ;  but,  if 
you  will  talk  to  me " 

"  Well,  then,  what  shall  it  be  about  ?  Shall  I  tell  you  a 
fairy  tale  ?" 

"  I  need  it  not :  I  feel  I  am  in  one  this  instant." 

"  Well,  then,  what  say  you  to  a  legend  for  I  am  rich  in 
my  stores  of  them  ?  " 

"  The  O'Malleys  have  their  chronicles,  wild  and  bar 
barous  enough,  without  the  aid  of  Thor  and  Woden." 

"  Then,  shall  we  chat  of  every-day  matters  ?  Should 
you  like  to  hear  how  the  election  and  ihe  canvass  go 
on  ':  " 

"  Yes,  of  all  things." 


BO  OEULHLKIB 

**  Well,  then,  most  favourably.  Two  baronies,  with  moat 
unspeakable  names,  have  declared  for  us,  and  confidence 
is  rapidly  increasing  among  our  party.  This  I  learned  by 
chance  yesterday;  for  papa  never  permits  us  to  know 
anything  of  these  matters — not  even  the  names  of  the 
candidates." 

"  Well,  that  was  the  very  point  I  was  coming  to,  for  the 
government  were  about  to  send  down  some  one  just  as  I 
left  home  ;  and  I  am  most  anxious  to  learn  who  it  is." 

"Then  am  I  utterly  valueless;  for  I  really  can't  say 
what  party  the  government  espouses,  and  only  know  of 
our  own." 

"  Quite  enough  for  me  that  you  wish  it  success,"  said  I, 
gallantly.  "Perhaps  you  can  tell  me  if  my  uncle  has 
heard  of  my  accident  ?  " 

"  Oh  yes ;  but  somehow  he  has  not  been  here  himself, 
but  sent  a  friend — a  Mr.  Considine,  I  think ;  a  very  strange 
person  he  seemed.  He  demanded  to  see  papa,  and,  it 
seems,  asked  him  if  your  misfortune  had  been  a  thing  of 
his  contrivance,  and  whether  he  was  ready  to  explain  his 
conduct  about  it ;  and,  in  fact,  I  believe  he  is  mad." 

"  Heaven  confound  him,"  I  muttered  between  my  teeth. 

"  And  then  he  wished  to  have  an  interview  with  Captain 
Hammersley ;  however,  he  is  too  ill ;  but  as  the  doctor 
hoped  he  might  be  downstairs  in  a  week,  Mr.  Considine 
kindly  hinted  that  he  should  wait." 

"  Oh,  then,  do  tell  me  how  is  the  Captain." 

"  Very  much  bruised,  very  much  disfigured,  they  say,*' 
•aid  she,  half  smiling ;  "  but  not  so  much  hurt  in  body 
as  in  mind." 

"  As  how,  may  I  ask  ?  "  said  I,  with  an  appearance  of 
innocence. 

"I  don't  exactly  understand  it;  but  it  would  appear 
that  there  was  something  like  rivalry  among  you  gentle- 
men chasseurs  on  that  luckless  morning,  and  that  while 
you  paid  the  penalty  of  a  broken  head,  he  was  destined 
to  lose  his  horse  and  break  his  arm." 

"I  certainly  am  sorry — most  sincerely  sorry  for  any 
share  I  might  have  had  in  the  catastrophe ;  and  my 
greatest  regret,  I  confess,  arises  from  the  fact  that  I 
should  cause  you  unhappiness." 

"  Me— pray  explain  ?  " 


THE   DRAWING- ROOM.  81 

**  Why,  as  Captain  Haiiiinersley— — ** 

"  Mr.  O'Malley,  you  are  too  young  now  to  make  me 
suspect  you  have  an  intention  to  offend ;  but,  I  caution 
you,  never  repeat  this." 

I  saw  that  I  had  transgressed,  but  how,  I  most  honestly 
confess,  I  could  not  guess  ;  for  though  I  certainly  was  the 
senior  of  my  fair  companion  in  years,  I  was  most  lament- 
ably her  junior  in  tact  and  discretion. 

The  grey  dusk  of  evening  had  long  fallen  as  we  con- 
tinued to  chat  together  beside  the  blazing  wood  embers ; 
ehe  evidently  amusing  herself  with  the  original  notions  of 
an  untutored,  unlettered  boy,  and  I  drinking  deep  those 
draughts  of  love  that  nerved  my  heart  through  many  a 
breach  and  battle-field. 

Our  colloquy  was  at  length  interrupted  by  the  entrance 
of  Sir  George,  who  shook  me  most  cordially  by  the  hand, 
and  made  the  kindest  inquiries  about  my  health. 

"  They  tell  me  you  are  to  be  a  lawyer,  Mr.  O'Malley," 
said  he  ;  "  and,  if  so,  I  must  advise  you  to  take  better 
care  of  your  headpiece." 

"A  lawyer,  papa;  oh  dear  me!  I  should  never  Lave 
thought  of  his  being  anything  so  stupid." 

"  Why,  silly  girl,  what  would  you  have  a  man  be  ?  " 

"  A  dragoon,  to  be  sure,  papa,"  said  the  fond  girl,  as 
she  pressed  her  arm  around  his  manly  figure,  and  looked 
up  in  his  face  with  an  expression  of  mingled  pride  and 
affection. 

That  word  sealed  my  destiny. 


CHAPTER   VL 

THE   DINNER. 

WHKN  I  retired  to  my  room  to  dress  for  dinner,  I  found 
my  servant  waiting  with  a  note  from  my  uncle,  to  which, 
e  informed  me,  the  messenger  expected  an  answer. 
I  broke  the  seal  and  read : 


CHARLES   O  MALLET. 

"  DEAR  CHARLEY, — Do  not  lose  a  moment  in  securing 
old  Blake — if  you  have  not  already  done  so — as  informa- 
tion has  just  reached  me  that  the  government  party  has 
promised  a  cornetcy  to  young  Matthew  if  he  can  bring 
over  his  father.  And  these  are  the  people  I  have  been 
voting  with — a  few  private  cases  excepted — for  thirty 
odd  years! 

"  I  am  very  sorry  for  your  accident.  Considine  informs 
me  that  it  will  need  explanation  at  a  later  period.  He 
has  been  in  Athlone  since  Tuesday,  in  hopes  to  catch  the 
new  candidate  on  his  way  down,  and  get  him  into  a  little 
private  quarrel  before  the  day  ;  if  he  succeed,  it  will  save 
the  county  much  expense,  and  conduce  greatly  to  the 
peace  and  happiness  of  all  parties.  But  '  these  things,* 
as  Father  Roach  says,  '  are  in  the  hands  of  Providence.' 
You  must  also  persuade  old  Blake  to  write  a  few  lines  to 
Simon  Mallock,  about  the  Coolnamuck  mortgage.  We 
can  give  him  no  satisfaction  at  present,  at  least  such  as 
he  looks  for ;  and  don't  be  philandering  any  longer  where 
you  are,  when  your  health  permits  a  change  of  quarters. 

"  Your  affectionate  uncle, 

"  GODFREY  O'MALLBT. 

"P.S. — I  have  just  heard  from  Considine;  he  was  out 
this  morning  and  shot  a  fellow  in  the  knee,  but  finds  that 
after  all  he  was  not  the  candidate,  but  a  tourist  that  was 
writing  a  book  about  Connemara. 

"  P.S.  No.  2. — Bear  the  mortgage  in  mind,  for  old 
Mallock  is  a  spiteful  fellow,  and  has  a  grudge  against 
me,  since  I  horsewhipped  his  son  in  Banagher.  Oh,  the 
world,  the  world !— G.  O'M." 

Until  I  read  this  very  clear  epistle  to  the  end,  I  had 
no  very  precise  conception  how  completely  I  had  forgotten 
all  my  uncle's  interests,  and  neglected  all  his  injunctions. 
Already  five  days  had  elapsed,  and  I  had  not  as  much 
as  mooted  the  question  to  Mr.  Blake,  and  probably  all 
this  time  my  uncle  was  calculating  on  the  thing  as  con- 
cluded ;  but,  with  one  hole  in  my  head  and  some  half- 
dozen  in  my  heart,  my  memory  was  none  of  the  best. 

Snatching  up  the  letter,  therefore,  I  resolved  to  lose  no 


THE    DINNER.  88 

more  time ;  and  proceeded  at  once  to  Mr.  Blake's  room, 
expecting  that  I  should,  as  the  event  proved,  find  him 
engaged  in  the  very  laborious  duty  of  making  his  toilet. 

"  Come  in,  Charley,"  said  he,  as  I  tapped  gently  at  the 
door ;  "  it's  only  Charley,  my  darling ;  Mrs.  B.  won't 
mind  you." 

"  Not  the  least  in  life,"  responded  Mrs.  B.,  disposing 
at  the  same  time  a  pair  of  her  husband's  corduroys, 
tippet  fashion,  across  her  ample  shoulders,  which  before 
was  displayed  in  the  plenitude  and  breadth  of  colouring 
we  find  in  a  Eubens.  "  Sit  down,  Charley,  and  tell  us 
what's  the  matter." 

As,  until  this  moment,  I  was  in  perfect  ignorance  of  the 
Adam  and  Eve-like  simplicity  in  which  the  private  eco- 
nomy of  Mr.  Blake's  household  was  conducted,  I  would 
have  gladly  retired  from  what  I  found  to  be  a  mutual 
territory  of  dressing-room,  had  not  Mr.  Blake's  injunc- 
tions been  issued  somewhat  like  an  order  to  remain. 

"  It's  only  a  letter,  sir,"  said  I,  stuttering,  "  from  my 
uncle,  about  the  election.  He  says  that,  as  his  majority  is 
now  certain,  he  should  feel  better  pleased  in  going  to  the 
poll  with  all  the  family,  you  know,  sir,  along  with  him. 
He  wishes  me  just  to  sound  your  intentions — to  make 
out  how  you  feel  disposed  towards  him ;  and — and,  faith, 
as  I  am  but  a  poor  diplomatist,  I  thought  the  best  way 
was  to  come  straight  to  the  point  and  tell  you  so." 

"  I  perceive,"  said  Mr.  Blake,  giving  his  chin  at  the 
moment  an  awful  gash  with  the  razor,  "  I  perceive; 
go  on." 

"  Well,  sir,  I  have  little  more  to  say;  my  uncle  knows 
what  influence  you  have  in  Scariff,  and  expects  you'll  do 
what  you  can  there." 

"  Anything  more  ? "  said  Blake,  with  a  very  dry  and 
quizzical  expression  I  didn't  half  like — "  anything  more  ?  " 

"  Oh,  yes,  you  are  to  write  a  line  to  old  Mallock." 

*'  I  understand  ;  about  Coolnamuck,  isn't  it  ?  " 

«  Exactly  ;  I  believe  that's  all." 

"  Well  now,  Charley,  you  may  go  downstairs,  and  we'll 
talk  it  over  after  dinner." 

"  Yes,  Charley,  dear,  go  down,  for  I'm  going  to  draw 
on  my  stockings,"  said  the  fair  Mrs.  Blake,  with  a  look 
of  very  modest  consciousness. 


84  CHARLES  O'MALLET. 

When  I  had  left  the  room,  I  couldn't  help  muttering  a 
"  Thank  God ! "  for  the  success  of  a  mission  I  more  than 
once  feared  for,  and  hastened  to  despatch  a  note  to  my 
uncle,  assuring  him  of  the  Blake  interest,  and  adding 
that,  for  propriety  sake,  I  should  defer  my  departure  for 
a  day  or  two  longer. 

This  done,  with  a  heart  lightened  of  its  load,  and  in 
high  spirits  at  my  cleverness,  I  descended  to  the  drawing- 
room.  Here  a  very  large  party  were  already  assembled, 
and,  at  every  opening  of  the  door,  a  new  relay  of  Blakes, 
Burkes,  and  Bodkins,  was  introduced.  In  the  absence  of 
the  host,  Sir  George  Dashwood  was  "  making  the  agree- 
able" to  the  guests,  and  shook  hands  with  every  new 
arrival,  with  all  the  warmth  and  cordiality  of  old  friend- 
ship. While  thus  he  inquired  for  various  absent  indivi- 
duals, and  asked,  most  affectionately,  for  sundry  aunts 
and  uncles,  not  forthcoming,  a  slight  incident  occurred, 
which,  by  its  ludicrous  turn,  served  to  shorten  the  long 
half-hour  before  dinner.  An  individual  of  the  party,  a 
Mr.  Blake,  had,  from  certain  peculiarities  of  face,  obtained, 
in  his  boyhood,  the  sobriquet  of  "  Shave-the-wind."  This 
hatchet-like  conformation  had  grown  with  his  growth, 
and  perpetuated  upon  him  a  nickname,  by  which  alone 
was  he  ever  spoken  of  among  his  friends  and  acquaint- 
ances ;  the  only  difference  being  that,  as  he  came  to  man's 
estate,  brevity,  that  soul  of  wit,  had  curtailed  the  epithet 
to  mere  "  Shave."  Now,  Sir  George  had  been  hearing 
frequent  reference  made  to  him  always  by  this  name,  heard 
him  ever  so  addressed,  and  perceived  him  to  reply  to  it; 
so  that,  when  he  was  himself  asked  by  some  one  what 
sport  he  bad  found  that  day  among  the  woodcocks,  he 
answered  at  once,  with  a  bow  of  very  grateful  acknow- 
ledgment, "  Excellent,  indeed,  but  entirely  owing  to  whera 
I  was  placed  in  the  copse ;  had  it  not  been  for  Mr.  Shave 
there " 

I  need  not  say  that  the  remainder  of  his  speech,  being 
heard  on  all  sides,  became  one  universal  shout  of  laughter, 
in  which,  to  do  him  justice,  the  excellent  Shave  himself 
heartily  joined.  Scarcely  were  the  sounds  of  mirth  lulled 
into  an  apparent  calm,  when  the  door  opened,  and  the 
hostess  appeared.  Mrs.  Blake  advanced  in  all  the  pleni- 
tude of  her  charms,  arrayed  in  crimson  satin,  sorely  in- 


THE   DINNER.  95 

jured  in  its  freshness  by  a  patch  of  grease  upon  the  front, 
about  the  same  size  and  shape  as  the  continent  of  Europe, 
in  Arrowsmith's  Atlas ;  a  swansdown  tippet  covered  her 
shoulders;  massive  bracelets  ornamented  her  wrists; 
while  from  her  ears  descended  two  Irish  diamond  ear- 
rings, rivalling  in  magnitude  and  value  the  glass  pendants 
of  a  lustre.  Her  reception  of  her  guests  made  ample 
amends,  in  warmth  and  cordiality,  for  any  deficiency  of 
elegance;  and  as  she  disposed  her  ample  proportions 
upon  the  sofa,  and  looked  around  upon  the  company,  she 
appeared  the  very  impersonation  of  hospitality. 

After  several  openings  and  shuttings  of  the  drawing- 
room  door,  accompanied  by  the  appearance  of  old  Simon 
the  butler,  who  counted  the  party  at  least  five  times  be- 
fore he  was  certain  that  the  score  was  correct,  dinner  was 
at  length  announced.  Now  came  a  moment  of  difficulty, 
and  one  which,  as  testing  Mr.  Blake's  tact,  he  would 
gladly  have  seen  devolve  upon  some  other  shoulders ;  for 
he  well  knew  that  the  marshalling  a  room  full  of  man- 
darins, blue,  green,  and  yellow,  was  "  cakes  and  ginger- 
bread" to  ushering  a  Galway  party  in  to  dinner. 

First,  then,  was  Mr.  Miles  Bodkin,  whose  grandfather 
would  have  been  a  lord  if  Cromwell  had  not  hanged  him 
one  fine  morning.  Then  Mrs.  Mosey  Blake's  first  husband 
was  promised  the  title  of  Kilmacud  if  it  was  ever  restored, 
whereas  Mrs.  French  of  Knocktumnor's  mother  was  then 
at  law  for  a  title ;  and,  lastly,  Mrs.  Joe  Burke  was  fourth 
cousin  to  Lord  Clanricarde,  as  is  or  will  be  every  Burke 
from  this  to  the  day  of  judgment.  Now,  luckily  for  her 
prospects,  the  lord  was  alive  ;  and  Mr.  Blake,  remembering 
a  very  sage  adage  about  "  dead  lions,"  &c.,  solved  the 
difficulty  at  once  by  gracefully  tucking  the  lady  under  his 
arm  and  leading  the  way.  The  others  soon  followed,  the 
priest  of  Portumna  and  my  unworthy  self  bringing  up 
the  rear. 

When,  many  a  year  afterwards,  the  hard  ground  of  a 
mountain  bivouac,  with  its  pitiful  portion  of  pickled  cork- 
tree, yclept  mess-beef,  and  that  pyro-ligneous  aquafortis 
they  call  corn-brandy,  have  been  my  hard  fare,  I  often 
looked  back  to  that  day's  dinner  with  a  most  heart-yearn- 
ing sensation :  a  turbot  as  big  as  the  Waterloo  shield — a 
•irloin  that  seemed  cut  from  the  sides  of  a  rhinoceros — a 


86  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

sauce-boat  that  contained  an  oyster-bed.  There  was  a 
turkey,  which  singly  would  have  formed  the  main  army  of 
a  French  dinner,  doing  mere  outpost  duty,  flanked  by  a 
picket  of  ham  and  a  detached  squadron  of  chickens,  care- 
fully ambushed  in  a  forest  of  greens ;  potatoes,  not  disguised 
a  la  maitre  d'hotel  and  tortured  to  resemble  bad  macaroni, 
but  piled  like  shot  in  an  ordnance-yard,  were  posted  at 
different  quarters ;  while  massive  decanters  of  port  and 
sherry  stood  proudly  up  like  standard-bearers  amid  the 
goodly  array.  This  was  none  of  your  austere  "  great 
dinners,"  where  a  cold  and  chilling  plateau  of  artificial 
nonsense  cuts  off'  one-half  of  the  table  from  intercourse 
with  the  other ;  when  whispered  sentences  constitute  the 
conversation,  and  all  the  friendly  recognition  of  wine- 
drinking,  which  renews  acquaintance  and  cements  an 
intimacy,  is  replaced  by  the  ceremonious  filling  of  your 
glass  by  a  lacquey — where  smiles  go  current  in  lieu  of 
kind  speeches,  and  epigram  and  smartness  form  the  sub- 
stitute for  the  broad  jest  and  merry  story.  Far  from  it. 
Here  the  company  ate,  drank,  talked,  laughed,  did  all  but 
sing,  and  certainly  enjoyed  themselves  heartily.  As  for 
me,  I  was  little  more  than  a  listener,  and  such  was  the 
crash  of  plates,  the  jingle  of  glasses,  and  the  clatter  of 
voices,  that  fragments  only  of  what  was  passing  around 
reached  me,  giving  to  the  conversation  of  the  party  a 
character  occasionally  somewhat  incongruous.  Thus  such 
sentences  as  the  following  ran  foul  of  each  other  every 
instant : 

"  No  better  land  in  Gal  way  " — "  where  could  you  find 
such  facilities " — "  for  shooting  Mr.  Jones  on  his  way 
home  " — "  the  truth,  the  whole  truth,  and  nothing  but  the 
truth  " — "  kiss  " — "  Miss  Blake,  she's  the  girl  with  a  foot 
and  ankle" — "  Daly  has  never  had  wool  on  his  sheep  " — 
"  how  could  he  " — "  what  does  he  pay  for  the  mountain  " 
— "  four  and  tenpence  a  yard  " — not  a  penny  less  " — "  all 
the  cabbage- stalks  and  potato-skins  " — "  with  some  bog 
stuff  through  it " — "  that's  the  thing  to  " — "  make  soup, 
with  a  red  herring  in  it  instead  of  salt " — "  and  when  he 
proposed  for  my  niece,  ma'am,  says  he  " — "mix  a  strong 
tumbler,  and  I'll  make  a  shake-down  for  you  on  the  floor  " 
— "  and  may  the  Lord  have  mercy  on  your  soul " — "  and 
now,  down  the  middle  and  up  again  " — "  Captain  Magan, 


THE   DINNER.  87 

my  dear,  lie  is  the  man  " — "  to  shave  a  pig  properly  " — 
"  it's  not  money  I'm  looking  for,  says  he,  the  girl  of  my 
heart " — "  if  she  had  not  a  windgall  and  two  spavins  " — 
"  I'd  have  given  her  the  rights  of  the  Church,  of  coorse," 
said  Father  Roach,  bringing  up  the  rear  of  this  ill-assorted 
jargon. 

Such  were  the  scattered  links  of  conversation  I  was 
condemned  to  listen  to,  till  a  general  rise  on  the  part  of 
the  ladies  left  us  alone  to  discuss  our  wine,  and  enter  in 
good  earnest  upon  the  more  serious  duties  of  the  evening. 

Scarcely  was  the  door  closed  when  one  of  the  company, 
seizing  the  bell-rope,  said,  "  With  your  leave,  Blake,  we'll 
have  the  '  dew  '  now." 

"  Good  claret — no  better,"  said  another ;  "  but  it  sits 
mighty  cold  on  the  stomach." 

"  There's  nothing  like  the  groceries,  after  all — eh,  Sir 
George  ? "  said  an  old  Galway  squire  to  the  English 
general,  who  acceded  to  the  fact,  which  he  understood  in 
a  very  different  sense. 

"  Oh,  punch,  you  are  my  darlin',"  hummed  another,  as  a 
large  square  half-gallon  decanter  of  whisky  was  placed  on 
the  table,  the  various  decanters  of  wine  being  now  igno- 
miniously  sent  down  to  the  end  of  the  board  without  any 
evidence  of  regret  on  any  face  save  Sir  George  Dashwood's, 
who  mixed  his  tumbler  with  a  very  rebellious  conscience. 

Whatever  were  the  noise  and  clamour  of  the  company 
before,  they  were  nothing  to  what  now  ensued.  As  one 
party  were  discussing  the  approaching  contest,  another 
was  planning  a  steeple-chase ;  while  two  individuals, 
unhappily  removed  from  each  other  the  entire  length  of 
the  table,  were  what  is  called  "  challenging  each  other's 
effects "  in  a  very  remarkable  manner,  the  process  so 
styled  being  an  exchauge  of  property,  when  each  party, 
setting  an  imaginary  value  upon  some  article,  barters  it 
for  another,  the  amount  of  boot  paid  and  received  being 
determined  by  a  third  person,  who  is  the  umpire.  Thus 
a  gold  breast-pin  was  swopped,  as  the  phrase  is,  against 
a  horse ;  then  a  pair  of  boots,  a  Kerry  bull,  &c. — every 
imaginable  species  of  property  coming  into  the  market. 
Sometimes,  as  matters  of  very  dubious  value  turned  up, 
great  laughter  was  the  result.  In  this  very  national 
pastime,  a  Mr.  Miles  Bodkin,  a  noted  fire-eater  of  the 


88  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

west,  was  a  great  proficient,  and,  it  is  said,  once  so  com- 
pletely succeeded  in  despoiling  an  uninitiated  hand,  that, 
after  winning  in  succession  his  horse,  gig,  harness,  &c., 
he  proceeded  seriatim  to  his  watch,  ring,  clothes,  and 
portmanteau,  and  actually  concluded  by  winning  all  he 
possessed,  and  kindly  lent  him  a  card-cloth  to  cover  him 
on  his  way  to  the  hotel.  His  success  on  the  present  occa- 
sion was  considerable,  and  his  spirits  proportionate.  The 
decanter  had  thrice  been  replenished,  and  the  flushed  faces 
and  thickened  utterance  of  the  guests  evinced  that  from 
the  cold  properties  of  the  claret  there  was  but  little  to 
dread.  As  for  Mr.  Bodkin,  his  manner  was  incapable  of 
any  higher  flight,  when  under  the  influence  of  whisky, 
than  what  it  evinced  on  common  occasions ;  and,  as  he 
sat  at  the  end  of  the  table,  fronting  Mr.  Blake,  he  assumed 
all  the  dignity  of  the  ruler  of  the  feast,  with  an  energy 
no  one  seemed  disposed  to  question.  In  answer  to  some 
observations  of  Sir  George,  he  was  led  into  something 
like  an  oration  upon  the  peculiar  excellencies  of  his  native 
country,  which  ended  in  a  declaration  that  there  was 
nothing  like  Galway. 

"  Why  don't  you  give  ns  a  song,  Miles  ?  and  maybe 
the  general  would  learn  more  from  it  than  all  your  speech- 
making." 

"  To  be  sure,"  cried  out  several  voices  together  ;  "  to  be 
sure :  let  us  hear  the  '  Man  for  Galway ! ' ' 

Sir  George  having  joined  most  warmly  in  the  request, 
Mr.  Bodkin  filled  up  his  glass  to  the  brim,  bespoke  a  chorus 
to  his  chant,  and,  clearing  his  voice  with  a  deep  hem, 
began  the  following  ditty,  to  the  air  which  Moore  has  since 
rendered  immortal,  by  the  beautiful  song,  "  Wreath  the 
Bowl,"  &c.  And  although  the  words  are  well  known  in 
the  west,  for  the  information  of  less  favoured  regions  I 
here  transcribe 

"THE  MAN  FOR  GALWAY. 

'*  To  drink  a  toast, 
A  proctor  roast, 

Or  bailiff  as  the  caw  1% 
To  kiss  your  wife 
Or  take  your  life 

At  ten  or  fifteen  paces  ; 


THE   DINNER.  89 

Vo  keep  game  cocks — to  hunt  the  for, 

To  drink  in  punch  the  Solway, 
With  debts  galore,  but  fun  far  more  ; 

Oh,  that's  '  the  man  for  Qalway.' 

"Chorus— With  debts,  &«. 

••  The  King  of  Oude 
Is  mighty  proud, 

And  so  were  onst  the  Caysart — (Caesars) 
But  ould  Gilt  s  Eyre 
Would  make  them  stare, 

Av  he  had  them  with  the  Blazers. 
To  the  devil  I  fling— ould  Runjeet  Sing, 

He's  only  a  prince  in  a  small  way, 
And  knows  nothing  at  all  of  a  six-foot  wall ; 

Oh,  he'd  never  '  do  for  Galway. ' 

"Chorus— With  debts,  fee. 

44  Ye  think  the  Blakes 
Are  no  '  great  shakes  ;' 

They're  all  his  blood  relations, 
And  the  Bodkins  sneeze 
At  the  grim  Chinese, 

For  they  come  from  the  Phenayciantt 
So  fill  the  brim,  and  here's  to  him 

Who'd  drink  in  punch  the  Solway ; 
With  debts  galore,  but  fun  far  more ; 

Oh  !  that's  '  the  man  for  Galway.' 

"  Chorus— With  debts,"  && 

I  much  fear  that  the  reception  of  this  very  classic  ode 
would  not  be  as  favourable  in  general  companies  as  it  was 
on  the  occasion  I  first  heard  it,  for  certainly  the  applause 
was  almost  deafening ;  and  even  Sir  George,  the  defects 
of  whose  English  education  left  some  of  the  allusions  out 
of  his  reach,  was  highly  amnsed,  and  laughed  heartily. 

The  conversation  once  more  reverted  to  the  election,  and 
although  I  was  too  far  from  those  who  seemed  best  in- 
formed on  the  matter  to  hear  much,  I  could  catch  enough 
to  discover  that  the  feeling  was  a  confident  one.  This 
was  gratifying  to  me,  as  I  had  some  scruple  about  my  BO 
long  neglecting  my  uncle's  cause. 

"  We  have  Scariff  to  a  man,"  said  Bodkin. 

"  And  Mosey's  tenantry,"  said  another.  "  I  swear, 
though,  there's  not  a  freehold  registered  on  the  estate,  that 
they'll  vote,  every  mother's  son  of  them,  or  devil  a  stone 
of  the  Court-house  they'll  leave  standing  on  another." 


40  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

"  And  may  the  Lord  look  to  the  returning  officer!  "  said 
a  third,  throwing  up  his  eyes. 

"  Mosey's  tenantry  are  droll  boys,  and,  like  their  land- 
lord, more  by  token — they  never  pay  any  rent." 

"  And  what  for  shouldn't  they  vote  ?  "  said  a  dry-look- 
ing little  old  fellow  in  a  red  waistcoat :  "  when  I  was  the 
dead  agent " 

"  The  dead  agent ! "  interrupted  Sir  George,  with  a 
start. 

"Just  so,"  said  the  old  fellow,  pulling  down  his 
spectacles  from  his  forehead,  and  casting  a  half-angry  look 
at  Sir  George,  for  what  he  had  suspected  to  be  a  doubt  of 
his  veracity. 

"  The  General  does  not  know,  maybe,  what  that  is," 
said  some  one. 

"  It  is  the  dead  agent  "  says  Mr.  Blake,  "  who  always 
provides  substitutes  for  any  voters  that  may  have  died 
since  the  last  election.  A  very  important  fact  in  statistics 
may  thus  be  gathered  from  the  poll-books  of  this  county, 
which  proves  it  to  be  the  healthiest  part  of  Europe — a 
freeholder  has  not  died  in  it  for  the  last  fifty  years." 

"  The  'Kiltopher  boys  '  won't  come  this  time — they  say 
there's  no  use  trying  to  vote  when  so  many  were  trans- 
ported last  assizes  for  perjury." 

"  They're  poor-spirited  creatures,"  said  another. 

"  Not  they — they  are  as  decent  boys  as  any  we  have — 
they're  willing  to  wreck  the  town  for  fifty  shillings'  worth 
of  spirits ;  ..besides,  if  they  don't  vote  for  the  county,  they 
will  for  the  borough." 

This  declaration  seemed  to  restore  these  interesting 
individuals  to  favour,  and  now  all  attention  was  turned 
towards  Bodkin,  who  was  detailing  the  plan  of  a  grand 
attack  upon  the  polling-booths,  to  be  headed  by  himself. 
By  this  time  all  the  prudence  and  guardedness  of  the 
party  had  given  way —whisky  was  in  the  ascendant,  and 
every  bold  stroke  of  election  policy,  every  cunning  artifice, 
every  ingenious  device,  was  detailed  and  applauded,  in  a 
manner  which  proved  that  self-respect  was  not  the  inevit- 
able gift  of  "  mountain  dew." 

The  mirth  and  fun  grew  momentarily  more  boisterous, 
and  Miles  Bodkin,  who  had  twice  before  been  prevented 
proposing  some  toast,  by  a  telegraphic  signal  from  the 


THE   DINNEB.  41 

other  end  of  the  table,  now  swore  that  nothing  should 
prevent  him  any  longer,  and  rising  with  a  smoking 
tumbler  in  his  hand,  delivered  himself  as  follows : 

*'  No,  no,  Phil  Blake,  ye  needn't  be  winkin'  at  me  that 
way — it's  little  I  care  for  the  spawn  of  the  ould  serpent." 
[Here  great  cheers  greeted  the  speaker,  in  which,  without 
well  knowing  why,  I  heartily  joined.]  "I'm  going  to  give 
a  toast,  boys — a  real  good  toast — none  of  your  senti- 
mental things  about  wall-flowers,  or  the  vernal  equinox, 
or  that  kind  of  thing,  but  a  sensible,  patriotic,  manly,  in- 
trepid toast ;  a  toast  you  must  drink  in  the  most  universal, 
laborious,  and  awful  manner — do  ye  see  now?"  [Loud 
cheers.]  "  If  any  man  of  you  here  present  doesn't 
drain  this  toast  to  the  bottom — (here  the  speaker  looked 
fixedly  at  me,  as  did  the  rest  of  the  company) — then,  by 
the  great  gun  of  Athlone,  I'll  make  him  eat  the  decanter, 
glass  stopper  and  all,  for  the  good  of  his  digestion — d'ye 
see  now  ?  " 

The  cheering  at  this  mild  determination  prevented  my 
hearing  what  followed ;  but  the  peroration  consisted  in  a 
very  glowing  eulogy  upon  some  person  unknown,  and  a 
speedy  return  to  him  as  member  for  G-alway.  Amid  all 
the  noise  and  tumult  at  this  critical  moment,  nearly  every 
eye  at  the  table  was  turned  upon  me ;  and,  as  I  concluded 
that  they  had  been  drinking  my  uncle's  health,  I  thundered 
away  at  the  mahogany  with  all  my  energy.  At  length, 
the  hip,  hipping  over,  and  comparative  quiet  restored,  I 
rose  from  my  seat  to  return  thanks — but  strange  enough, 
Sir  George  Dashwood  did  so  likewise ;  and  there  we  both 
stood  amid  an  uproar  that  might  well  have  shaken  the 
courage  of  more  practised  orators ;  while  from  every  side 
came  cries  of  "  Hear,  hear  " — "  Go  on,  Sir  George  " — 
"Speak  out,  General "—"  Sit  down,  Charley  "—"  Con- 
found  the  boy  " — "  Knock  the  legs  from  under  him,"  &c. 
Not  understanding  why  Sir  George  should  interfere  with 
what  I  regarded  as  my  peculiar  duty,  I  resolved  not  to 
give  way,  and  avowed  this  determination  in  no  very  equi- 
vocal terms.  "  In  that  case,"  said  the  General,  "  I  am  to 
suppose  that  the  young  gentleman  moves  an  amendment 
to  your  proposition  ;  and,  as  the  etiquette  is  in  his  favour, 
I  yield." — Here  he  resumed  his  place,  amid  a  most  terrifia 
•cene  of  noise  and  tumult,  while  several  humane  proposal^ 


42  CHARLES  O'MALLET. 

as  to  my  treatment,  were  made  around  me,  and  a  kind 
suggestion  thrown  out  to  break  my  neck,  by  a  near  neigh- 
bour. Mr.  Blake  at  length  prevailed  upon  the  party  to 
hear  what  I  had  to  say — for  he  was  certain  I  should  not 
detain  them  above  a  minute.  The  commotion  having  in 
some  measure  subsided,  I  began :  "  Gentlemen — As  the 
adopted  son  of  the  worthy  man  whose  health  you  have 
just  drunk "  Heaven  knows  how  I  should  have  con- 
tinued— but  here  my  eloquence  was  met  by  such  a  roar 
of  laughing  as  I  never  before  listened  to  ;  from  one  end 
of  the  board  to  the  other  it  was  one  continued  shout,  and 
went  on,  too,  as  if  all  the  spare  lungs  of  the  party  had 
been  kept  in  reserve  for  the  occasion.  I  turned  from  one 
to  the  other — I  tried  to  smile,  and  seemed  to  participate  in 
the  joke,  but  failed  ;  I  frowned — I  looked  savagely  about 
where  I  could  see  enough  to  turn  my  wrath  thitherward ; 
and,  as  it  chanced,  not  in  vain ;  for  Mr.  Miles  Bodkin, 
with  an  intuitive  perception  of  my  wishes,  most  suddenly 
ceased  his  mirth,  and,  assuming  a  look  of  frowning  defiance 
that  had  done  him  good  service  upon  many  former  occa- 
sions, rose  and  said : 

"Well,  sir,  I  hope  you're  proud  of  yourself — you've 
made  a  nice  beginning  of  it,  and  a  pretty  story  you'll  have 
for  your  uncle.  But  if  you'd  like  to  break  the  news  by  a 
letter,  the  General  will  have  great  pleasure  in  franking  it 
for  you ;  for,  by  the  rock  of  Casbel,  we'll  carry  him  in 
against  all  the  O'Malleys  that  ever  cheated  the  sheriff." 

Scarcely  were  the  words  uttered,  when  I  seized  my  wine- 
glass, and  hurled  it  with  all  my  force  at  his  head ;  so  sud- 
den was  the  act,  and  so  true  the  aim,  that  Mr.  Bodkin 
measured  his  length  upon  the  floor  ere  his  friends  could 
appreciate  his  late  eloquent  effusion.  The  scene  now 
became  terrific  ;  for  though  the  redoubted  Miles  was  hort 
de  combat,  his  friends  made  a  tremendous  rush  at,  and 
would  infallibly  have  succeeded  in  capturing  me,  had  not 
Blake  and  four  or  five  others  interposed.  Amid  a  despe- 
rate struggle,  which  lasted  for  some  minutes,  I  was  torn 
from  the  spot,  carried  bodily  upstairs,  and  pitched  head- 
long into  my  own  room,  where,  having  doubly  locked  the 
door  on  the  outside,  they  left  me  to  my  own  cool  and  not 
over-agreeable  reflections. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

THl   FLIGHT   FROM   OURT-NA-JIORRi. 

IT  was  by  one  of  those  sudden  and  inexplicable  revulsions 
w  hich  occasionally  restore  to  sense  and  intellect  the  maniac 
of  years'  standing,  that  I  was  no  sooner  left  alone  in  my 
ch  umber  than  I  became  perfectly  sober.  The  fames  of  the 
•wine — and  I  had  drunk  deeply — were  dissipated  at  once ; 
my  head,  which  but  a  moment  before  was  half  wild  with 
excitement,  was  now  cool,  calm,  and  collected ;  and, 
stranger  than  all,  I,  who  had  only  an  hour  since  entered 
the  dining-room  with  all  the  unsuspected  freshness  of  boy- 
hood, became,  by  a  mighty  bound,  a  man — a  man  in  all 
my  feelings  of  responsibility,  a  man  who,  repelling  an 
insult  by  an  outrage,  had  resolved  to  stake  his  life  upon 
the  chance.  In  an  instant  a  new  era  in  life  had  opened 
before  me — the  light-headed  gaiety  which  fearlessness  and 
youth  impart,  was  replaced  by  one  absorbing  thought — 
one  all-engrossing,  all  pervading  impression,  that  if  I  did 
not  follow  up  my  quarrel  with  Bodkin,  I  was  dishonoured 
and  disgraced ;  my  little  knowledge  of  such  matters  not 
being  sufficient  to  assure  me  that  I  was  now  the  aggressor, 
and  that  any  further  steps  in  the  affair  should  come  from 
his  side. 

So  thoroughly  did  my  own  griefs  occupy  me,  that  I  had 
no  thought  for  the  disappointment  my  poor  uncle  was 
destined  to  meet  with  in  hearing  that  the  Blake  interest 
was  lost  to  him,  and  the  former  breach  between  the  fami- 
lies irreparably  widened  by  the  events  of  the  evening. 
Escape  was  my  first  thought ;  but  how  to  accomplish  it? 
The  door,  a  solid  one  of  Irish  oak,  doubly  locked  and 
bolted,  defied  all  my  efforts  to  break  it  open ;  the  window 
•was  at  least  five-and-twenty  feet  from  the  ground,  and  not 
a  tree  near  to  swing  into.  I  shouted,  I  called  aloud,  I 
opened  the  sash,  and  tried  if  any  one  outside  were  within 
hearing ;  but  in  vain.  Weary  and  exhausted,  I  sat  down 
upon  my  bed  and  ruminated  over  my  fortunes.  Vengeance 

Vol.  30— (3) 


44  CHARLES  O'MALLET. 

— quick,  entire,  decisive  vengeance — I  thirsted  and  panted 
for;  and  every  moment  I  lived  under  the  insult  inflicted 
on  me,  seemed  an  age  of  torturing  and  maddening  agony. 
I  rose  with  a  leap  ;  a  thought  had  just  occurred  to  me.  I 
drew  the  bed  towards  the  window,  and  fastening  the  sheet 
to  one  of  the  posts  with  a  firm  knot,  I  twisted  it  into  a 
rope,  and  let  myself  down  to  within  about  twelve  feet 
of  the  ground,  when  I  let  go  my  hold,  and  dropped  upon 
the  grass  beneath,  safe  and  uninjured.  A  thin  misty  rain 
was  falling,  and  I  now  perceived  for  the  first  time,  that  in 
my  haste  I  had  forgotten  my  hat ;  this  thought,  however, 
gave  me  little  uneasiness,  and  I  took  my  way  towards  the 
stable,  resolving,  if  I  could,  to  saddle  my  horse,  and  get 
off  before  any  intimation  of  my  escape  reached  the  family. 

When  I  gained  the  yard  all  was  quiet  and  deserted ;  the 
servants  were  doubtless  enjoying  themselves  below  stairs  ; 
and  I  met  no  one  in  the  way.  I  entered  the  stable,  threw 
the  saddle  upon  Badger,  and  before  five  minutes  from 
my  descent  from  the  window,  was  galloping  towards 
O'Malley  Castle,  at  a  pace  that  defied  any  pursuit,  had 
any  one  thought  of  it. 

It  was  about  five  o'clock  on  a  dark  wintry  morning  as  I 
led  my  horse  through  the  well-known  defiles  of  out-houses 
and  stables  which  formed  the  long  line  of  offices  to  my 
uncle's  house.  As  yet  no  one  was  stirring ;  and  as  I 
wished  to  have  my  arrival  a  secret  from  the  family,  after 
providing  for  the  wants  of  my  gallant  grey,  I  lifted  the 
latch  of  the  kitchen  door — no  other  fastening  being  ever 
thought  necessary,  even  at  night — and  gently  groped  my 
way  towards  the  stairs :  all  was  perfectly  still,  and  the 
silence  now  recalled  me  to  reflection  as  to  what  course 
I  should  pursue.  It  was  all-important  that  my  uncle 
should  know  nothing  of  my  quarrel,  otherwise  he  would 
inevitably  make  it  his  own,  and,  by  treating  me  like  a  boy 
in  the  matter,  give  the  whole  affair  the  very  turn  I  most 
dreaded.  Then,  as  to  Sir  Harry  Boyle,  he  would  most 
certainly  turn  the  whole  thing  into  ridicule,  make  a  good 
story,  perhaps  a  song  out  of  it,  and  laugh  at  my  notions  of 
demanding  satisfaction.  Considine,  1  knew,  was  my  man ; 
but  then  he  was  at  Athlone — at  least  so  my  uncle's  letter 
mentioned ;  perhaps  he  might  have  returned ;  if  not,  to 
Athlone  I  should  set  off  at  once.  So  resolving,  I  stole 


THE   FLIGHT   FEOM    GURT-NA-MOR11A.  45 

noiselessly  upstairs,  and  reached  the  door  of  the  Count's 
chamber ;  I  opened  it  gently,  and  entered ;  and,  though 
my  step  was  almost  imperceptible  to  myself,  it  was  quite 
sufficient  to  alarm  the  watchful  occupant  of  the  room, 
who,  springing  up  in  his  bed,  demanded  gruffly  "  Who's 
there  ?  " 

"  Charles,  sir,"  said  I,  shutting  the  door  carefully,  and 
approaching  his  bed-side.  "  Charles  O'Malley,  sir.  I'm 
come  to  have  a  bit  of  your  advice ;  and,  as  the  affair  won't 
keep,  I  have  been  obliged  to  disturb  you." 

"  Never  miud,  Charley,"  said  the  Count ;  "  sit  down, 
there's  a  chair  somewhere  near  the  bed— have  you  found 
it  ?  There — well  now,  what  is  it  ?  What  news  of  Blake  ?  " 

"Very  bad;  no  worse.  But  it  is  not  exactly  that  I 
came  about ;  I've  got  into  a  scrape,  sir." 

"  Bun  off  with  one  of  the  daughters,"  said  Considine. 
"  By  jingo,  I  knew  what  those  artful  devils  would  be  after." 

"Not  so  bad  as  that,"  said  I,  laughing.  "It's  just  a 
row,  a  kind  of  squabble ;  something  that  must  come " 

"  Ay,  ay,"  said  the  Count,  brightening  up ;  "  say  you 
so,  Charley  ?  Begad,  the  young  ones  will  beat  us  all  out 
of  the  field.  Who  is  it  with — not  old  Blake  himself — how 
was  it?  tell  me  all." 

I  immediately  detailed  the  whole  events  of  the  preced- 
ing chapter,  as  well  as  his  frequent  interruptions  would 
permit,  and  concluded  by  asking  what  further  step  was 
now  to  be  taken,  as  I  was  resolved  the  matter  should  bo 
concluded  before  it  came  to  my  uncle's  ears. 

"  There  you  are  all  right ;  quite  correct,  my  boy.  But 
there  are  many  points  I  should  have  wished  otherwise  in 
the  conduct  of  the  affair  hitherto." 

Conceiving  that  he  was  displeased  at  my  petulance  and 
boldness,  I  was  about  to  commence  a  kind  of  defence, 
when  he  added, — 

"  Because,  you  see,"  said  he,  assuming  an  oracular  tone 
of  voice,  "  throwing  a  wine-glass,  with  or  without  wine, 
in  a  man's  face,  is  merely,  as  you  may  observe,  a  mark  of 
denial  and  displeasure  at  some  observation  he  may  have 
made,  not  in  any  wise  intended  to  injure  him,  further  than, 
in  the  wound  to  his  honour  at  being  so  insulted,  for  which, 
of  course,  he  must  subsequently  call  you  out.  Whereas, 
Charley,  in  the  presept  ease,  the  view  I  take  is  different ; 


46  OHABLES  O'MALLEY. 

the  expression  of  Mr.  Bodkin,  as  regards  your  uncle,  was 
insulting  to  a  degree — gratuitously  offensive,  and  warrant- 
ing a  blow.  Therefore,  my  boy,  you  should,  under  such 
circumstances, have  preferred  aiming  at  him  with  a  decanter 
— a  cut-glass  decanter,  well  aimed  and  low,  I  have  seen  do 
effective  service.  However,  as  you  remark,  it  was  your 
first  thing  of  the  kind,  I  am  pleased  with  you — very  much 
pleased  with  you.  Now,  then,  for  the  next  step."  So  saying, 
he  arose  from  his  bed,  and  striking  a  light  with  a  tinder- 
box,  proceeded  to  dress  himself  as  leisurely  as  if  for  a 
dinner  party,  talking  all  the  while. 

"  I  will  just  take  Godfrey's  tax-cart  and  the  roan  mare 
on  to  Meelish  ;  put  them  up  at  the  little  inn — it  is  not 
above  a  mile  from  Bodkin's — and  I'll  go  over  and  settle 
the  thing  for  you  :  you  must  stay  quiet  till  I  come  back, 
and  not  leave  the  house  on  any  account.  I've  got  a  case 
of  old  broad  barrels  there  that  will  answer  you  beautifully; 
if  you  were  anything  of  a  shot,  I'd  give  you  my  own  cross 
handles,  but  they'd  only  spoil  your  shooting." 

"  I  can  hit  a  wine-glass  in  the  stem  at  fifteen  paces," 
said  I,  rather  nettled  at  the  disparaging  tone  in  which  he 
spoke  of  my  performance. 

"  I  don't  care  sixpence  for  that :  the  wine-glass  had  no 
pistol  in  his  hand.  Take  the  old  German,  then  ;  see  now, 
hold  your  pistol  thus :  no  finger  on  the  guard  there,  these 
two  on  the  trigger.  They  are  not  hair  triggers ;  drop  the 
muzzle  a  bit :  bend  your  elbow  a  trifle  more ;  sight  your 
man  outside  your  arm  ;  outside,  mind,  and  take  him  in  the 
hip,  and,  if  anywhere  higher,  no  matter." 

By  this  time  the  Count  had  completed  his  toilette,  and, 
taking  the  small  mahogany  box  which  contained  his  "  peace- 
makers "  under  his  arm,  led  the  way  towards  the  stables. 
When  we  reached  the  yard,  the  only  person  stirring  there 
was  a  kind  of  half-witted  boy,  who,  being  about  the  house, 
was  employed  to  run  of  messages  for  the  servants,  walk  a 
stranger's  horse,  or  to  do  any  of  the  many  petty  services  that 
regular  domestics  contrive  always  to  devolve  upon  some 
adopted  subordinate.  He  was  seated  upon  a  stone  step, 
formerly  used  for  mounting,  and  though  the  day  was 
scarcely  breaking,  and  the  weather  severe  and  piercing, 
the  poor  fellow  was  singing  an  Irish  song,  in  a  low  mono- 
tonous tone,  as  he  chafed  a  curb  chain  between  his  hands 


THE   FLIGHT   FEOM    GTJRT-NA-MORRA.  4? 

with  some  sand.  As  we  came  near  he  started  tip,  and,  as 
he  pnlled  off  Ii:s  cap  to  salute  us,  gave  a  sharp  and  piercing 
glance  at  the  Count,  then  at  me;  then  once  more  upon 
my  companion,  from  whom  his  eyes  were  turned  to  the 
brass-bound  box  beneath  his  arm ;  when,  as  if  seized  with 
a  sudden  impulse,  he  started  on  his  feet,  and  set  off 
towards  the  house  with  the  speed  of  a  greyhound,  not, 
however,  before  Considine's  practised  eye  had  anticipated 
his  plan ;  for,  throwing  down  the  pistol-case,  he  dashed 
after  him,  and,  in  an  instant,  had  seized  him  by  the  collar. 

"It  won't  do,  Patsey,"  said  the  Count;  "you  can't 
double  on  me." 

"  Ob,  Count,  darlin',  Mister  Considine  avick,  don't  do 
it,  don't  now,"  said  the  poor  fellow,  falling  on  his  knees, 
and  blubbering  like  an  infant. 

"  Hold  your  tongue,  you  villain,  or  I'll  cut  it  out  of  your 
head,"  said  Considine. 

"  And  so  I  will ;  but  don't  do  it,  don't  for  the  love 
of " 

"Don't  do  what,  you  whimpering  scoundrel?  What 
does  he  think  I'll  do  ?  " 

"  Don't  I  know  very  well  what  you're  after,  what  you're 
always  after  too?  oh,  wirra,  wirra  !  "  Here  he  wrung  his 
hands,  and  swayed  himself  backwards  and  forwards,  a  true 
picture  of  Irish  grief. 

"  I'll  stop  his  blubbering,"  said  Considine,  opening  the 
box,  and  taking  out  a  pistol,  which  he  cocked  leisurely, 
and  pointed  at  the  poor  fellow's  head ;  "  another  syllable 
now,  and  I'll  scatter  your  brains  upon  that  pavement." 

"And  do,  and  divil  thank  you ;  sure,  it's  your  trade." 

The  coolness  of  the  reply  threw  us  both  off  our  guard 
so  completely,  that  we  burst  out  into  a  hearty  fit  of 
laughing. 

"  Come,  come,"  said  the  Count,  at  last,  "  this  will  never 
do ;  if  he  goes  on  this  way,  we'll  have  the  whole  house 
about  us.  Come,  then,  harness  the  roan  mare,  and  here's 
half-a-crown  for  you." 

"  I  wouldn't  touch  the  best  piece  in  your  purse,"  said 
the  poor  boy  ;  "  sure  it's  blood-money,  no  less." 

The  words  were  scarcely  spoken,  when  Considine  seized 
him  by  the  collar  with  one  hand,  and  by  the  wrist  with 
the  other,  and  carried  him  over  the  yard  to  the  stable, 


48  CHARLES  O'MALLBT. 

where,  kicking  open  the  door,  he  threw  him  on  a  heap  of 
stones,  adding,  "  If  you  stir  now,  I'll  break  every  bono  in 
your  body ;"  a  threat  that  seemed  certainly  considerably 
increased  in  its  terrors,  from  the  rough  gripe  he  had  already 
experienced,  for  the  lad  rolled  himself  up  like  a  ball,  and 
sobbed  as  if  his  heart  were  breaking. 

Very  few  minutes  sufficed  us  now  to  harness  the  mare 
in  the  tax-cart,  and,  when  all  was  ready,  Considine  seized 
the  whip,  and  locking  the  stable-door  upon  Patsey,  was 
about  to  get  up,  when  a  sudden  thought  struck  him. 
"  Charley,"  said  he,  "  that  fellow  will  find  some  means  to 
give  the  alarm  ;  we  must  take  him  with  us."  So  saying, 
he  opened  the  door,  and  taking  the  poor  fellow  by  the 
collar,  flung  him  at  my  feet  in  the  tax-cart. 

We  had  already  lost  some  time,  and  the  roan  mare  was 
put  to  her  fastest  speed  to  make  up  for  it.  Our  pace 
became,  accordingly,  a  sharp  one ;  and,  as  the  road  was 
bad,  and  the  tax-cart  no  "  patent  inaudible,"  neither  of 
us  spoke.  To  me  this  was  a  great  relief;  the  events  of 
the  last  few  days  had  given  them  the  semblance  of  years, 
and  all  the  reflection  I  could  muster  was  little  enough 
to  make  anything  out  of  the  chaotic  mass — love,  mischief, 
and  misfortune — in  which  I  had  been  involved  since  my 
leaving  O'Malley  Castle. 

"  Here  we  are,  Charley,"  said  Considine,  drawing  up 
short  at  the  door  of  a  little  country  ale-house,  or  in  Irish 
parlance,  shebeen,  which  stood  at  the  meeting  of  four 
bleak  roads,  in  a  wild  and  barren  mountain  tract,  beside 
the  Shannon.  "  Here  we  are,  my  boy !  jump  out  and  let 
us  be  stirring." 

"  Here,  Patsey,  my  man,"  said  the  Count,  unravelling 
the  prostrate  and  doubly-knotted  figure  at  our  feet; 
•'lend  a  hand,  Patsey."  Much  to  my  astonishment,  he 
obeyed  the  summons  with  alacrity,  and  proceeded  to 
•unharness  the  mare  with  the  greatest  despatch.  My 
attention  was,  however,  soon  turned  from  him  to  my  own 
more  immediate  concerns,  and  I  followed  my  companion 
into  the  house. 

"  Joe,"  said  the  Count  to  the  host,  "  is  Mr.  Bodkin  up 
at  the  house  this  morning  ?  " 

"  He's  just  passed  this  way,  sir,  with  Mr.  Malowney  of 
Tillnamuck,  in  the  gig,  on  their  way  from  Mr.  Blake's. 


THE   FLIGHT   FROM   GURT-NA-MORRA.  49 

They  stopped  here  to  order  horses  to  go  over  to  O'Malley 
Castle,  and  the  gossoon  is  gone  to  look  for  a  pair." 

"  All  right,"  said  Considine ;  and  added,  in  a  whisper, 
"we've  done  it  well,  Charley,  to  be  beforehand,  or  the 
governor  would  have  found  it  all  out,  and  taken  the  affair 
into  his  own  hands.  Now,  all  you  have  to  do  is,  to  stay 
quietly  here  till  I  come  back,  which  will  not  be  above  an 
hour  at  farthest.  Joe,  send  me  the  pony — keep  an  eye  on 
Patsey,  that  he  doesn't  play  us  a  trick — the  short  way  to 
Mr.  Bodkin's  is  through  Scariff — ay,  I  know  it  well,  good- 
bye, Charley — by  the  Lord,  we'll  pepper  him." 

These  were  the  last  words  of  the  worthy  Count  as  he 
closed  the  door  behind  him,  and  left  me  to  my  own  not 
very  agreeable  reflections.  Independently  of  my  youth 
and  perfect  ignorance  of  the  world,  which  left  me  unable 
<o  form  any  correct  judgment  on  my  conduct,  I  knew 
that  I  had  taken  a  great  deal  of  wine,  and  was  highly 
excited  when  my  unhappy  collision  with  Mr.  Bodkin  oc- 
curred. Whether,  then,  I  had  been  betrayed  into  any- 
thing which  could  fairly  have  provoked  his  insulting 
retort  or  not,  I  could  not  remember  ;  and  now  my  most 
afflicting  thought  was,  what  opinion  might  be  entertained 
of  me  by  those  at  Blake's  table  ;  and,  above  all,  what 
Miss  Dashwood  herself  would  think,  and  what  narrative 
of  the  occurrence  would  reach  her.  The  great  effort  of 
my  last  few  days  had  been  to  stand  well  in  her  estimation, 
to  appear  something  better  in  feeling,  something  higher  in 
principle,  than  the  rude  and  unpolished  squirearchy  about 
me,  and  now  here  was  the  end  of  it !  What  would  sh«, 
what  could  she,  think,  but  that  I  was  the  same  punch- 
drinking,  rowing,  quarrelling  bumpkin  as  those  whom  I 
had  so  lately  been  carefully  endeavouring  to  separate 
myself  from?  How  I  hated  myself  for  the  excess  te 
which  passion  had  betrayed  me,  and  how  I  detested  my 
opponent  as  the  cause  of  all  my  present  misery.  "  How 
very  differently,"  thought  I,  "her  friend  the  Captain 
would  have  conducted  himself.  His  quiet  and  gentle- 
manly manner  would  have  done  fully  as  much  to  wipe  oat 
any  insult  on  his  honour  as  I  could  do,  and,  after  all, 
would  neither  have  disturbed  the  harmony  of  a  dinner- 
table,  nor  made  himself,"  as  I  shuddered  to  think  I  had, 
M  a  subject  of  rebuke,  if  not  of  ridicule."  These  harassing, 


50  OHAELES  O'MALLET. 

torturing  reflections  continued  to  press  on  me,  and  I 
paced  the  room  with  my  hands  clasped  and  the  perspi- 
ration upon  my  brow.  "  One  thing  is  certain, — I  can 
sever  see  her  again,"  thought  1 ;  '*  this  disgraceful 
business  must,  in  some  shape  or  other,  become  known 
to  her,  and  all  I  have  been  saying  these  last  three  days 
rise  up  in  judgment  against  this  one  act,  and  stamp  me 
an  impostor ;  I  that  decried — nay,  derided — our  false 
notion  of  honour.  Would  that  Considine  were  come ! 
What  can  keep  him  now  ? "  I  walked  to  the  door :  a 
boy  belonging  to  the  house  was  walking  the  roan  be- 
fore the  door.  "What  had,  then,  become  of  Pat?"  I 
inquired ;  but  no  one  could  tell.  He  had  disappeared 
shortly  after  our  arrival,  and  had  not  been  seen  after- 
wards. My  own  thoughts  were,  however,  too  engrossing 
to  permit  me  to  think  more  of  this  circumstance,  and 
I  turned  ajrain  to  enter  the  house,  when  I  saw  Considine 
advancing  up  the  road  at  the  full  speed  of  his  pony. 

"  Out  with  the  mare,  Charley — be  alive,  my  boy — all's 
settled."  So  saying,  he  sprang  from  the  pony,  and 
proceeded  to  harness  the  roan  with  the  greatest  haste, 
informing  me  in  broken  sentences  as  he  went  on  with  all 
the  arrangements : 

"  We  are  to  cross  the  Bridge  of  Portumna.  They  won 
the  ground,  and  it  seems  Bodkin  likes  the  spot ;  he  shot 
Peyton  there  three  years  ago.  Worse  luck  now,  Charley, 
you  know :  by  all  the  rule  of  chance,  he  can't  expect  the 
same  thing  twice — never  four  by  honours  in  two  deals — 
didn't  say  that,  though — a  sweet  meadow,  I  know  it  well ; 
small  hillocks,  like  molehills  all  over  it- — caught  him  at 
breakfast ;  I  don't  think  he  expected  the  message  to  come 
from  us,  but  said  that  it  was  a  very  polite  attention,  and 
go  it  was,  you  know." 

So  he  continued  to  ramble  on  as  we  once  more  took  our 
seats  in  the  tax-cart,  and  set  out  for  the  ground. 

"  What  are  you  thinking  of,  Charley  ?  "  said  the  Count, 
aa  I  kept  silent  for  some  minutes. 

"  I'm  thinking,  sir,  if  I  were  to  kill  him,  what  I  must 
do  after." 

"  Right,  my  boy ;  nothing  like  that,  but  I'll  settle  all 
for  you.  Upon  my  conscience,  if  it  wasn't  for  the  chance 
of  his  getting  into  another  quarrel  and  spoiling  the  eleo- 


THE   PLIGHT    FKOM   GUBT-NA-MORRA.  61 

tion,  Fd  go  back  for  Godfrey;  he'd  like  to  see  you  break 
ground  so  prettily.  And  you  say  you're  no  shot  ?  " 

"  Never  could  do  anything  with  the  pistol  to  speak  of, 
sir,"  said  I,  :  'membering  his  rebuke  of  the  morning. 

"  I  don't  mind  that :  you've  a  good  eye  ;  never  take  it  off 
him  after  you're  on  the  ground — follow  him  everywhere. 
Poor  Callaghan,  that's  gone,  shot  his  man  always  that 
way.  He  had  a  way  of  looking,  without  winking,  that 
was  very  fatal  at  a  short  distance ;  a  very  good  thing  to 
Jearn,  Charley,  when  you  have  a  little  spare  time." 

Half  an  hour's  sharp  driving  brought  us  to  the  river 
lide,  where  a  boat  had  been  provided  by  Considine  to  ferry 
as  over.  It  was  now  about  eight  o'clock,  and  a  heavy, 
gloomy  morning.  Much  rain  had  fallen  overnight,  and 
the  dark  and  lowering  atmosphere  seemed  charged  with 
more.  The  mountains  looked  twice  their  real  size,  and  all 
the  shadows  were  increased  to  an  enormous  extent.  A 
very  killing  kind  of  light  it  was,  as  the  Count  remarked. 


CHAPTER  VtlL 

TUB   DUEL. 

As  the  bontmen  pulled  in  towards  the  shore  we  perceived, 
a  few  hundred  yards  off,  a  group  of  persons  standing,  whom 
we  soon  recognized  as  our  opponents.  "  Charley,"  said  the 
Count,  grasping  my  arm  tightly,  as  I  stood  up  to  spring 
on  the  land — "  Charley,  .although  you  are  only  a  boy,  as  I 
may  say,  I  have  no  fear  for  your  courage ;  but,  still, 
more  than  that  is  needful  here.  This  Bodkin  is  a  noted 
duellist,  and  will  try  to  shake  your  nerve.  Now,  mind 
that  you  take  everything  that  happens  quite  with  an  air 
of  indifference  ;  don't  let  him  think  that  he  has  any  advan- 
tage over  you,  and  you'll  see  how  the  tables  will  be  turned 
in  your  favour." 


52  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

"  Trust  to  me,  Count,"  said  I ;  "  I'll  not  disgrace  you.** 

He  pressed  my  hand  tightly,  and  I  thought  that  I  dis- 
cerned something  like  a  slight  twitch  about  the  corners  of 
his  grim  mouth,  as  if  some  sudden  and  painful  thought  had 
shot  across  his  mind ;  but  in  a  moment  he  was  calm,  and 
stern-looking  as  ever. 

"  Twenty  minutes  late,  Mr.  Considine,"  said  a  short, 
red-faced  little  man,  with  a  military  frock  and  foraging 
cap,  as  he  held  out  his  watch  in  evidence. 

"  I  can  only  say,  Captain  Malowney,  that  we  lost  no 
time  since  we  parted;  we  had  some  difficulty  in  finding  a 
boat ;  but,  in  any  case,  we  are  here  now,  and  that,  I  opine, 
is  the  important  part  of  the  matter." 

"  Quite  right — very  just  indeed.  Will  you  present  me 
to  your  young  friend — very  proud  to  make  your  acquaint- 
ance, sir ;  your  uncle  and  I  met  more  than  once  in  this 
kind  of  way.  I  was  out  with  him  in  '92 — was  it?  no,  I 
think  it  was  '93 — when  he  shot  Harry  Burgoyne,  who  by 
the  bye,  was  called  the  crack  shot  of  our  mess  ;  but,  begad, 
your  uncle  knocked  his  pistol  hand  to  shivers,  saying  in  his 
dry  way,  '  He  must  try  the  left  hand  this  morning.'  Count, 
a  little  this  side,  if  you  please." 

While  Considine  and  the  Captain  walked  a  few  paces 
apart  from  where  I  stood,  I  had  leisure  to  observe  my 
antagonist,  who  stood  among  a  group  of  his  friends,  talking 
and  laughing  away  in  great  spirits.  As  the  tone  they 
spoke  in  was  not  of  the  lowest,  I  could  catch  much  of  their 
conversation  at  the  distance  I  was  from  them.  They  were 
discussing  the  last  occasion  that  Bodkin  had  visited  this 
spot,  and  talking  of  the  fatal  event  which  happened  then. 

"  Poor  devil,"  said  Bodkin,  "  it  wasn't  his  fault ;  but 
you  see  some  of  the  — th  had  been  showing  white  feathers 
before  that,  and  he  was  obliged  to  go  out.  In  fact,  the 
Colonel  himself  said,  '  Fight  or  leave  the  corps.*  Well,  out 
he  came  :  it  was  a  cold  morning  in  February,  with  a  frost 
the  night  before  going  off  in  a  thin  rain  :  well,  it  seems  he 
had  the  consumption  or  something  of  that  sort,  with  a 
great  cough  and  spitting  of  blood,  and  this  weather  made 
him  worse,  and  he  was  very  weak  when  he  came  to  the 
ground.  Now,  the  moment  I  got  a  glimpse  of  him,  I  said 
to  myself,  '  He's  pluck  enough,  but  as  nervous  as  a  lady  ;' 
for  his  eyes  wandered  all  about,  and  his  mouth  was  con- 


THE    DUEL.  53 

stantly  twitching.  *  Take  off  your  greatcoat,  Ned'  said 
one  of  his  people,  when  they  were  going  to  put  him  up ; 
'take  it  off,  man.'  He  seemed  to  hesitate  for  an  instant, 
when  Michael  Blake  remarked,  '  Arrah,  let  him  alone  ;  it's 
his  mother  makes  him  wear  it,  for  the  cold  he  has.'  They 
all  began  to  laugh  at  this,  but  I  kept  my  eye  upon  him. 
And  I  saw  that  his  cheek  grew  quite  livid,  and  a  kind  of 
<^rey  colour,  and  his  eyes  filled  up.  '  I  have  you  now,*  said 
I  to  myself,  and  I  shot  him  through  the  lungs." 

"  And  this  poor  fellow,"  thought  I,  "  was  the  only  son 
of  a  widowed  mother."  I  walked  from  the  spot  to  avoid 
hearing  further,  and  felt,  as  I  did  so,  something  like  a 
spirit  of  vengeance  rising  within  me,  for  the  fate  of  one  so 
untimely  cut  off. 

"  Here  we  are,  all  ready,"  said  Malowney,  springing 
over  a  small  fence  into  the  adjoining  field — '*  take  your 
ground,  gentlemen." 

Considine  took  my  arm  and  walked  forward.  "  Charley," 
said  he,  "  I  am  to  give  the  signal ;  I'll  drop  my  glove  when 
you  are  to  fire,  but  don't  look  at  me  at  all.  I'll  manage  to 
catch  Bodkin's  eye,  and  do  you  watch  him  steadily,  and 
fire  when  he  does." 

"  I  think  that  the  ground  we  are  leaving  behind  us  is 
rather  better,"  said  some  one. 

"  So  it  is,"  said  Bodkin  ;  "  but  it  might  be  troublesome 
to  carry  the  young  gentleman  down  that  way — here  all  ia 
fair  and  easy." 

The  next  instant  we  were  placed,  and  I  well  remember 
the  first  thought  that  struck  me  was,  that  there  could  be 
no  chance  of  either  of  us  escaping. 

"  Now,  then,"  said  the  Count,  "  I'll  walk  twelve  paces, 
turn,  and  drop  this  glove,  at  which  signal  you  fire,  and 
together,  mind.  The  man  who  reserves  his  shot,  falls  by 
my  hand."  This  very  summary  denunciation  seemed  to 
meet  general  approbation,  and  the  Count  strutted  forth. 
Notwithstanding  the  advice  of  my  friend,  I  could  not  help 
turning  my  eyes  from  Bodkin  to  watch  the  retiring  figure 
of  the  Count.  At  length  he  stopped — a  second  or  two 
elapsed — he  wheeled  rapidly  round,  and  let  full  the  glove. 
My  eye  glanced  toward  my  opponent,  I  raised  my  pistol 
and  fired.  My  hat  turned  half  round  upon  my  head,  and 
Bodkin  fell  motionless  to  the  earth.  I  saw  the  people 


CHARLES  O  MALLET. 

around  me  rush  forward ;  I  caught  two  or  three  glances 
thrown  at  me  with  an  expression  of  revengeful  passion ; 
I  felt  some  one  grasp  me  round  the  waist,  and  hurry  me 
from  the  spot,  and  it  was  at  least  ten  minutes  after,  as  we 
were  skimming  the  surface  of  the  broad  Shannon,  before 
I  could  well  collect  my  scattered  faculties  to  remember  all 
that  was  passing,  as  Considine,  pointing  to  the  two  bullet 
holas  in  my  hat,  remarked,  "  Sharp  practice,  Charley ;  it 
was  the  overcharge  saved  you." 

"  Is  he  killed,  sir  ?"  I  asked. 

"  Not  quite,  I  believe,  but  as  good ;  you  took  him  just 
above  the  hip." 

"  Can  he  recover  ?  "  said  I,  with  a  voice  tremulous  from 
agitation,  which  I  vainly  endeavoured  to  conceal  from  my 
companion. 

"  Not  if  the  doctor  can  help  it,"  said  Considine ;  "  for 
the  fool  keeps  poking  about  for  the  ball.  But  now  let's 
think  of  the  next  step ;  you'll  have  to  leave  this,  and  at 
once  too." 

Little  more  passed  between  us.  As  we  rowed  towards 
the  shore,  Considine  was  following  up  his  reflections,  and 
I  had  mine,  alas!  too  many  and  too  bitter  to  escape 
from. 

As  we  neared  the  land,  a  strange  spectacle  caught  our 
eye.  For  a  considerable  distance  along  the  coast  crowds 
of  country  people  were  assembled,  who,  forming  in  groups, 
and  breaking  into  parties  of  two  and  three,  were  evidently 
watching  with  great  anxiety  what  was  taking  place  at  the 
opposite  side.  Now,  the  distance  was  at  least  a  mile,  and 
therefore  any  part  of  the  transaction  which  had  been  enact- 
ing there  must  have  been  quite  beyond  their  view.  While 
I  was  wondering  at  this,  Considine  cried  out  suddenly, 
**  Too  infamous,  by  Jove ;  we're  murdered  men." 

**  What  do  you  mean  ?  "  said  I. 

"Don't  you  see  that?"  said  he,  pointing  to  something 
black  which  floated  from  a  pole  at  the  opposite  side  of  the 
river. 

"Yes;  what  is  it?" 

"  It's  his  coat  they've  put  upon  an  oar  to  show  the  people 
he's  killed,  that's  all.  Every  man  here's  his  tenant,  and 
look — there  ! — they're  not  giving  us  much  doubt  as  to 
their  intention."  Here  a  tremendous  yell  burst  forth  from 


THE   DUEL. 

the  mass  of  people  along  the  shore,  which,  rising  to 
terrific  cry,  sunk  gradually  down  to  a  low  wailing,  then 
rose  and  fell  again  several  times  as  the  Irish  death-cry 
filled  the  air  and  rose  to  heaven,  as  if  imploring  vengeance 
on  a  murderer. 

The  appalling  influence  of  the  keen,  as  it  is  called,  had 
been  familiar  to  me  from  my  infancy,  but  it  needed  the 
Iwful  situation  I  was  placed  in  to  consummate  its  horrors. 
It  was  at  once  my  accusation  and  my  doom.  I  knew  well 
— none  better — the  vengeful  character  of  the  Irish  peasant 
of  the  west,  and  that  my  death  was  certain  I  had  no  doubt. 
The  very  crime  that  sat  upon  my  heart  quailed  its  courage 
and  unnerved  my  arm.  As  the  boatmen  looked  from  us 
towards  the  shore,  and  again  at  our  faces,  they,  as  if  in- 
stinctively, lay  upon  their  oars,  and  waited  for  our  decision 
as  to  what  course  to  pursue. 

"  Rig  the  spritsail,  my  boys,"  said  Considine,  "  and  let 
her  head  lie  up  the  river,  and  be  alive,  for  I  see  they're 
hauling  a  boat  below  the  little  reef  there,  and  will  be  after 
us  in  no  time." 

The  poor  fellows,  who,  although  strangers  to  us,  sympa- 
thizing in  what  they  perceived  to  be  our  imminent  danger, 
stepped  the  light  spar  which  acted  as  mast,  and  shook  out 
their  scanty  rag  of  canvas  in  a  minute.  Considine,  mean- 
while, went  aft,  and  steadying  her  head  with  an  oar,  held 
the  small  craft  up  to  the  wind  till  she  lay  completely  over, 
and,  as  she  rushed  through  the  water,  ran  dipping  her 
gunnel  through  the  white  foam. 

"  Where  can  we  make  without  tacking,  boys  ?  "  inquired 
the  Count. 

"  If  it  blows  on  as  fresh,  sir,  we'll  run  you  ashore  within 
half  a  mile  of  the  castle." 

"  Put  an  oar  to  leeward,"  said  Considine,  "  and  keep 
her  up  more  to  the  wind,  and  I  promise  you,  my  lads,  you 
will  not  go  home  fresh  and  fasting,  if  you  land  us  where 
you  say." 

*'  Here  they  come,"  said  the  other  boatman,  as  he  pointed 
back  with  his  finger  towards  a  large  yawl  which  shot  sud- 
denly from  the  shore,  with  six  sturdy  fellows  pulling  at 
their  oars,  while  three  or  four  others  were  endea\\  uring 
to  get  up  their  rigging,  which  appeared  tangled  and  con- 
fused at  the  bottom  of  the  boat ;  the  white  splash  of  water, 


56  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

which  fell  each  moment  beside  her,  showing  that  the  pro- 
cess of  baling  was  still  continued. 

"  Ah,  then,  may  I  never — av  it  isn't  the  ould  Dolphin 
they  have  launched  for  the  cruise,"  said  one  of  our  fellows. 

"What's  the  Dolphin,  then  ?  " 

*'  An  ould  boat  of  the  Lord's  (Lord  Clanricarde's)  that 
didn't  see  water,  except  when  it  rained,  these  four  years, 
and  is  sun-cracked  from  stem  to  stern." 

"  She  can  sail,  however,"  said.  Considine,  who  watched, 
with  a  painful  anxiety,  the  rapidity  of  her  course  through 
the  water. 

"  Nabocklish,  she  was  a  smuggler's  jolly-boat,  and  well 
used  to  it.  Look  how  they're  pulling.  God  pardon  them  ; 
but  they're  in  no  blessed  humour  this  morning." 

"  Lay  out  upon  your  oars,  boys  ;  the  wind's  failing  us," 
cried  the  Count,  as  the  sail  flapped  lazily  against  the  mast. 

"  It's  no  use,  your  honour,"  said  the  elder ;  "  we'll  be  only 
breaking  our  hearts  to  no  purpose  ;  they're  sure  to  catch 
us." 

"  Do  as  I  bade  you,  at  all  events.  What's  that  ahead 
of  us  there  ?  " 

"  The  Oat  Rock,  sir.  A  vessel  with  grain  struck  there, 
and  went  down  with  all  aboard,  four  years  last  winter. 
There's  no  channel  between  it  and  the  shore — all  sunk 
rocks,  every  inch  of  it.  There's  the  breeze" — the  canvas 
fell  over  as  he  spoke,  and  the  little  craft  lay  down  to  it  till 
the  foaming  water  bubbled  over  her  lee  bow — "  keep  her 
head  up,  sir  ;  higher — higher  still " — but  Considine  little 
heeded  the  direction,  steering  straight  for  the  narrow 
channel  the  man  alluded  to.  "  Tear  and  ages,  but  you're 
going  right  for  the  cloch  na  quirka !  " 

"  Arrah,  an'  the  devil  a  taste  I'll  be  drowned  for  your 
devarsion,"  said  the  other,  springing  up. 

"  Sit  down  there,  and  be  still,'*  roared  Considine,  as  he 
drew  a  pistol  from  the  case  at  his  feet,  "  if  you  don't  want 
some  leaden  ballast  to  keep  you  so.  Here,  Charley,  take 
this,  and  if  that  fellow  stirs  hand  or  foot — you  understand 
me." 

The  two  men  sat  sulkily  in  the  bottom  of  the  boat,  which 
now  was  actually  flying  through  the  water.  Considine'a 
object  was  a  clear  one ;  he  saw  that,  in  sailing,  we  were 
greatly  over-matched,  and  that  our  only  chance  lay  in 


THE    DUEL.  67 

reacting  the  narrow  and  dangerous  channel  between  the 
Oat  Bock  and  the  shore,  by  which  we  should  distance  the 
pursuit,  the  long  reef  of  rocks  that  ran  out  beyond  requir- 
ing a  wide  berth  to  escape  from.  Nothing  but  the  danger 
behind  us  could  warrant  so  rash  a  daring.  The  whole 
channel  was  dotted  with  patches  of  white  and  breaking 
foam — the  sure  evidence  of  the  mischief  beneath — while 
here  and  there  a  dash  of  spurting  spray  flew  up  from  the 
dark  water,  where  some  cleft  rock  lay  hid  below  the  flood. 
Escape  seemed  impossible ;  but  who  would  not  have  pre- 
ferred even  so  slender  a  chance  with  so  frightful  an  alter- 
native behind  him !  As  if  to  add  terror  to  the  scene, 
Considine  had  scarcely  turned  the  boat  ahead  of  the  chan- 
nel when  a  tremendous  blackness  spread  over  all  around ; 
the  thunder  pealed  forth,  and,  amid  the  crashing  of  the 
hail  and  the  bright  glare  of  lightning,  a  squall  struck  us, 
and  laid  us  nearly  keel  uppermost  for  several  minutes.  I 
well  remember  we  rushed  through  the  dark  and  blackening 
water,  our  little  craft  more  than  half  filled,  the  oars  float- 
ing off  to  leeward,  and  we  ourselves  kneeling  on  the  bottom 
planks  for  safety.  Roll  after  roll  of  loud  thunder  broke, 
as  it  were,  just  above  our  heads ;  while,  in  the  swift  dash- 
ing rain  that  seemed  to  hiss  around  us,  every  object  was 
hidden,  and  even  the  other  boat  was  lost  to  our  view.  The 
two  poor  fellows !  I  shall  never  forget  their  expression. 
One,  a  devout  Catholic,  had  placed  a  little  leaden  image  of 
a  saint  before  him  in  the  bow,  and  implored  its  interces- 
sion with  a  torturing  agony  of  suspense  that  wrung  my 
very  heart ;  the  other,  apparently  less  alive  to  such  conso- 
lations as  his  church  afforded,  remained  with  his  hands 
clasped,  his  mouth  compressed,  his  brows  knitted,  and  his 
dark  eyes  bent  upon  me  with  the  fierce  hatred  of  a  deadly 
enemy ;  his  eyes  were  sunken  and  bloodshot,  and  all  told 
of  some  dreadful  conflict  within  ;  the  wild  ferocity  of  his 
look  fascinated  my  gaze,  and  amid  all  the  terrors  of  the 
scene  1  could  not  look  from  him.  As  I  gazed,  a  second 
and  more  awful  squall  struck  the  boat,  the  mast  bent  over, 
and  with  a  loud  report  like  a  pistol  shot,  smashed  at  the 
thwart,  and  fell  over,  trailing  the  sail  along  the  milky  sea 
behind  us.  Meanwhile,  the  water  rushed  clean  over  us, 
and  the  boat  seemed  settling.  At  this  dreadful  moment 
the  sailor's  eye  was  bent  upon  me,  his  lips  parted,  and  he 


58  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

muttered,  as  if  to  himself,  "  This  it  is  to  go  to  sea  with  a 
murderer."  0  God  !  the  agony  of  that  moment — the  heart- 
felt and  accusing  conscience  that  I  was  judged  and  doomed 
• — that  the  brand  of  Cain  was  upon  my  brow — that  my 
fellow-men  had  ceased  for  ever  to  regard  me  as  a  brother 
— that  I  was  an  outcast  and  a  wanderer  for  ever.  I  bent 
forward  till  my  forehead  fell  upon  my  knees,  and  I  wept. 
Meanwhile,  the  boat  flew  through  the  water,  and  Consi- 
dine,  who  alone  among  us  seemed  not  to  lose  his  presence 
of  mind,  cut  away  the  mast,  and  sent  it  overboard.  The 
storm  now  began  to  abate,  and,  as  the  black  mass  of  cloud 
broke  from  around  us,  we  beheld  the  other  boat,  also 
dismasted,  far  behind  us,  while  all  on  board  of  her  were 
employed  in  baling  out  the  water  with  which  she  seemed 
almost  sinking.  The  curtain  of  mist  that  had  hidden  us 
from  each  other  no  sooner  broke  than  they  ceased  their 
labours  for  a  moment,  and,  looking  towards  us,  burst  forth 
into  a  yell  so  wild,  so  savage,  and  so  dreadful,  my  very 
heart  quailed  as  its  cadence  fell  upon  my  ear. 

"  Safe,  my  boy,"  said  Considine,  clapping  me  on  the 
shoulder,  as  he  steered  the  boat  forth  from  its  narrow  path 
of  danger,  and  once  more  reached  the  broad  Shannon— 
"  safe,  Charley ;  though  we've  had  a  brush  for  it."  In  a 
minute  more  we  reached  the  land,  and  drawing  our  gallant 
little  craft  on  shore,  set  out  for  O'Malley  Castle. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

THE    KETUBJI. 


O'MALLEY  CASTLE  lay  about  four  miles  from  the  spot  we 
landed  at,  and  thither  accordingly  we  bent  our  steps  with- 
out loss  of  time.  We  had  not,  however,  proceeded  far, 
when,  before  us  ou  the  road,  we  perceived  a  mixed  aasom- 


THE   KETUEN.  69 

Wage  of  horse  and  foot,  hurrying  along  at  a  tremendous 
rate.  The  inob,  which  consisted  of  some  hundred  country 
people,  were  armed  with  sticks,  scythes,  and  pitchforks, 
and,  although  not  preserving  any  very  military  aspect  in 
their  order  of  march,  were  still  a  force  quite  formidable 
enough  to  make  us  call  a  halt,  and  deliberate  upon  what 
we  were  to  do. 

"  They've  outflanked  us,  Charley,"  said  Considine  ; 
•'  however,  all  is  not  yet  lost.  But  see,  they've  got  sight 
of  us — here  they  come." 

At  these  words,  the  vast  mass  before  us  came  pouring 
along,  splashing  the  mud  on  every  side,  and  huzzaing  like 
so  many  Indians.  In  the  front  ran  a  bare-legged  boy, 
waving  his  cap  to  encourage  the  rest,  who  followed  him  at 
about  fifty  yards  behind. 

"  Leave  that  fellow  for  me,"  said  the  Count,  coolly  ex- 
amining the  lock  of  his  pistol ;  "  I'll  pick  him  out,  and  load 
again  in  time  for  his  friends'  arrival.  Charley,  is  that  a 
gentleman  I  see  far  back  in  the  crowd  ?  Yes,  to  be  sure 
it  is  ?  he's  on  a  large  horse — now  he's  pressing  forward, 
so  let — no — oh — ay — it's  Godfrey  O'Malley  himself,  and 
these  are  our  own  people."  Scarcely  were  the  words  out 
when  a  tremendous  cheer  arose  from  the  multitude,  who, 
recognizing  us  at  the  same  instant,  sprung  from  their 
horses  and  ran  forward  to  welcome  us.  Among  the  fore- 
most was  the  scarecrow  leader,  whom  I  at  once  perceived 
to  be  poor  Patsey,  who,  escaping  in  the  morning,  had 
returned  at  full  speed  to  O'Malley  Castle,  and  raised  the 
whole  country  to  my  rescue.  Before  I  could  address  one 
word  to  my  faithful  followers  I  was  in  my  uncle's  arms. 

"  Safe,  my  boy,  quite  safe  ?  ° 

"Quite  safe,  sir." 

"No  scratch  anywhere ?  " 

"  Nothing  but  a  hat  the  worse,  sir,"  said  I,  showing  the 
two  bullet  holes  in  my  headpiece. 

His  lip  quivered  as  he  turned  and  whispered  something 
into  Considine's  ear  which  I  heard  not ;  but  the  Count's 
reply  was,  "  Devil  a  bit,  as  cool  as  you  see  him  this 
minute." 

M  And  Bodkin,  what  of  him  ? 

"This  day's  work's  his  last,"  said  Considine  ;  "the  ball 
entered  here  ;  but  come  along,  Godfrey ;  Charley's  new  at 


60  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

this  kind  of  thing,  and  we  had  better  discuss  matters  in 
the  house." 

Half  an  hour's  brisk  trot — for  we  were  soon  supplied 
with  horses — brought  us  back  to  the  Castle,  much  to  the 
disappointment  of  our  cortege,  who  had  been  promised  a 
scrimmage,  and  went  back  in  very  ill-humour  at  the  breach 
of  contract. 

The  breakfast-room,  as  we  entered,  was  filled  with  my 
uncle's  supporters,  all  busily  engaged  over  poll-books  and 
booth  tallies,  in  preparation  for  the  eventful  day  of  battle. 
These,  however,  were  immediately  thrown  aside  to  hasten 
round  me,  and  inquire  all  the  details  of  my  duel.  Consi- 
dine,  happily  for  me,  however,  assumed  all  the  dignity  of 
an  historian,  and  recounted  the  events  of  the  morning  so 
much  to  my  honour  and  glory,  that  I,  who  only  a  little 
before  felt  crushed  and  bowed  down  by  the  misery  of  my 
late  duel,  began,  amid  the  warm  congratulations  and  eulo- 
giums  about  me,  to  think  I  was  no  small  hero ;  and,  in 
fact,  something  very  much  resembling  "  the  man  for  Gal- 
way."  To  this  feeling  a  circumstance  that  followed  assisted 
in  contributing  :  while  we  were  eagerly  discussing  the 
various  results  likely  to  arise  from  the  meeting,  a  horse 
galloped  rapidly  to  the  door,  and  a  loud  voice  called  out, 
"  I  can't  get  off,  but  tell  him  to  come  here."  We  rushed 
out  and  beheld  Captain  Malowney,  Mr.  Bodkin's  second, 
covered  with  mud  from  head  to  foot,  and  his  hor?e  reeking 
with  foam  and  sweat.  "  I  am  hurrying  on  to  Athlone  for 
another  doctor ;  but  I've  called  to  tell  you  that  the  wound 
is  not  supposed  to  be  mortal — he  may  recover  yet."  With- 
out waiting  for  another  word,  he  dashed  spurs  into  his  nag 
and  rattled  down  the  avenue  at  full  gallop.  Mr.  Bodkin's 
dearest  friend  on  earth  could  not  have  received  the  intelli- 
gence with  more  delight,  and  I  now  began  to  listen  to  the 
congratulations  of  my  friends  with  a  more  tranquil  spirit. 
My  uncle,  too,  seemed  much  relieved  by  the  information, 
and  heard  with  great  good  temper  my  narrative  of  the  few 
days  at  Gurt-na-Morra.  "  So  then,"  said  he,  as  I  con- 
cluded, "  my  opponent  is  at  least  a  gentleman ;  that  is  a 
comfort." 

"  Sir  George  Dashwood,"  said  I,  "  from  all  I  have  seen, 
is  a  remarkably  nice  person,  and  I  am  certain  you  will 
meet  with  only  the  fair  and  legitimate  opposition  of  an 


THE    EETUBN.  61 

opposing  candidate  in  him — no  mean  or  unmanly  sub- 
terfuge." 

"  All  right,  Charley.  Well,  now,  your  affair  of  this 
morning  must  keep  you  quiet  here  for  a  few  days,  coma 
what  will ;  by  Monday  next,  when  the  election  takes 
place,  Bodkin's  fate  will  be  pretty  clear,  one  way  or  the 
other,  and,  if  matters  go  well,  you  can  come  into  town ; 
otherwise,  I  have  arranged  with  Considine  to  take  you 
over  to  the  Continent  for  a  year  or  so  ;  but  we'll  discuss 
all  this  in  the  evening.  Now,  I  must  start  on  a  canvass. 
Boyle  expects  to  meet  you  at  dinner  to-day;  he  is  coining 
from  Athlone  on  purpose.  Now,  good-bye!" 

When  my  uncle  had  gone  I  sank  into  a  chair,  and  fell 
into  a  musing  fit  over  all  the  changes  a  few  hours  had 
wrought  in  me.  From  a  mere  boy,  whose  most  serious 
employment  was  stocking  the  house  with  game,  or  in- 
specting the  kennel,  I  had  sprung  at  once  into  man's 
estate,  was  complimented  for  my  coolness,  praised  for  my 
prowess,  lauded  for  my  discretion,  by  those  who  were  my 
seniors  by  nearly  half  a  century  I  talked  to  in  a  tone  of 
confidential  intimacy  by  my  uncle,  and,  in  a  word,  treated 
in  all  respects  as  an  equal — and  such  was  all  the  work  of 
a  few  hours.  But  so  it  is,  the  eras  in  life  are  separated 
by  a  narrow  boundary : — some  trifling  accident,  some 
casual  rencontre  impels  us  across  the  Rubicon,  and  we 
pass  from  infancy  to  youth — from  youth  to  manhood — 
from  manhood  to  age — less  by  the  slow  and  imperceptible 
step  of  time  than  by  some  one  decisive  act  or  passion, 
which,  occuring  at  a  critical  moment,  elicits  a  long  latent 
feeling,  and  impresses  our  existence  with  a  colour  that 
tinges  it  for  many  a  long  year.  As  for  me,  I  had  cut  the 
tie  which  bound  me  to  the  careless  gaiety  of  boyhood  with 
a  rude  gash.  In  three  short  days  I  had  fallen  deeply, 
desperately  in  love,  and  had  wounded,  if  not  killed,  an 
antagonist  in  a  duel.  As  I  meditated  on  these  things,  I 
was  aroused  by  the  noise  of  horses'  feet  in  the  yard  be- 
neath. I  opened  the  window  and  beheld  no  less  a  person 
than  Captain  Hammersley.  He  was  handing  a  card  to  a 
servant,  which  he  was  accompanying  by  a  verbal  message : 
the  impression  of  something  like  hostility  on  the  part  of 
the  Captain  had  never  left  my  mind,  and  I  hastened  down- 
stairs just  in  time  to  catch  him  as  he  turned  from  the  door, 


62  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

"  Ah,  Mr.  O'Malley  ! "  said  he,  in  a  most  courteous  tone, 
"  they  told  me  you  were  not  at  home." 

I  apologized  for  the  blunder,  and  begged  of  him  to 
alight  and  come  in. 

"  I  thanK  you  very  much ;  but,  in  fact,  my  hours  are 
now  numbered  here.  I  have  just  received  an  order  to 
join  my  regiment:  we  have  been  ordered  for  service, 
and  Sir  George  has  most  kindly  permitted  my  giving  up 
my  staff  appointment.  I  could  not,  however,  leave  the 
country  without  shaking  hands  with  you.  I  owe  you  a 
lesson  in  horsemanship,  and  I'm  only  sorry  that  we  are 
not  to  have  another  day  together." 

**  Then  you  are  going  out  to  the  Peninsula  ?  "  said  I. 

"Why,  we  hope  so ;  the  Commander-in- Chief,  they  say, 
is  in  great  want  of  cavalry,  and  we  scarcely  less  in  want 
of  something  to  do.  I'm  sorry  you  are  not  coming 
with  us." 

"  Would  to  Heaven  I  were  ! "  said  I,  with  an  earnest- 
ness  that  almost  made  my  brain  start. 

"Then,  why  not i"' 

"  Unfortunately,  I  am  peculiarly  situated.  My  worthy 
uncle,  who  is  all  to  me  in  this  world,  would  be  quite  alone 
if  I  were  to  leave  him ;  and  although  he  has  never  said 
so,  I  know  he  dreads  the  possibility  of  my  suggesting 
such  a  thing  to  him:  so  that  between  his  fears  and  uiine, 
the  matter  is  never  broached  by  either  party,  nor  do  I 
think  ever  can  be.  ' 

"  Devilish  hard — but  I  believe  you  are  right ;  some- 
thing, however,  may  turn  up  yet  to  alter  his  mind,  and,  if 
so,  and  if  you  do  take  to  dragooning,  don't  forget  George 
Hammersley  will  be  always  most  delighted  to  meet  you ; 
and  so  good-bye,  O'Malley,  good-bye." 

He  turned  his  horse's  head  and  was  already  some  paces 
off,  when  he  returned  to  my  side,  and,  in  a  lower  tone  of 
voice,  said, — 

"  I  ought  to  mention  to  you  that  there  has  been  much 
discussion,  on  your  affair  at  Blake's  table,  and  only  one 
opinion  o  n  the  matter  among  all  parties — that  you  acted 
perfectly  riuht.  Sir  George  Dashwood — no  mean  judge 
of  such  things — quite  approves  of  your  conduct,  and  I 
believe  wishes  you  to  know  as  much;  and  now,  one* 
more  good-bye." 


63 


CHAPTER  X 

THK 


THE  important  morning  at  length  arrived,  and,  as  I  looked 
from  my  bedroom  window  at  daybreak,  the  crowd  of  car- 
riages of  all  sorts  and  shapes  decorated  with  banners  and 
placards  ;  the  incessant  bustle  ;  the  hurrying  hither  and 
thither  ;  the  cheering  as  each  new  detachment  of  voters 
came  up,  mounted  on  jaunting-cars,  or  on  horses  whose 
whole  caparison  consisted  in  a  straw  rope  for  a  bridle,  and 
a  saddle  of  the  same  frail  material  —  all  informed  me  that 
the  election  day  was  come.  I  lost  no  further  time,  but 
proceeded  to  dress  with  all  possible  despatch.  When  I 
appeared  in  the  break  fast-room,  it  was  already  filled  with 
some  seventy  or  eighty  persons  of  all  ranks  and  ages, 
mingled  confusedly  together,  and  enjoying  the  hospitable 
fare  of  my  uncle's  house,  while  they  discussed  all  the 
details  and  prospects  of  the  election.  In  the  hall  —  the 
library  —  the  large  drawing-room,  too,  similar  parties  were 
also  assembled,  and,  as  new  comers  arrived,  the  servants 
were  busy  in  preparing  tables  before  the  door  and  up  the 
large  terrace  that  ran  the  entire  length  of  the  building. 
Nothing  could  be  more  amusing  than  the  incongruous 
mixture  of  the  guests,  who,  with  every  variety  of  eatable 
that  chance  or  inclination  provided,  were  thus  thrown  into 
close  contact,  having  only  this  in  common  —  the  success  of 
the  cause  they  were  engaged  in.  Here  was  the  old  Galway 
equire,  with  an  ancestry  that  reached  to  Noah,  sitting  side 
by  side  with  the  poor  cottier,  whi  whole  earthly  posses- 
sion was  what,  in  Irish  phrase,  is  called  a  "potato  garden," 
meaning  the  exactly  smallest  possible  patch  of  ground  out 
of  which  a  very  India-rubber  conscience  could  presume  to 
Tote.  Here  sat  the  old  simple-minded,  farmer-like  man, 
in  close  conversation  with  a  little  white-foreheaded,  keen- 
eyed  personage,  in  a  black  coat  and  eye-glass  —  a  flash 
attorney  from  Dublin,  learned  in  flaws  of  the  registry,  and 
deep  in  the  subtleties  of  election  law.  There  was  an 


64  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

Athlone  horse-dealer,  whose  habitual  daily  practices 
imposing  the  halt,  the  lame,  and  the  blind  upon  the  unsus 
peering,  for  beasts  of  blood  and  mettle,  well  qualified  him 
for  the  trickery  of  a  county  contest.  Then  there  were 
scores  of  squireen  gentry,  easily  recognized  on  common 
occasions  by  a  green  coat,  brass  buttons,  dirty  cords,  and 
dirtier  top-boots,  a  lashwhip,  and  a  half-bred  fox-hound; 
but  now,  fresh-washed  for  the  day,  they  presented  some- 
thing of  the  appearance  of  a  swell  mob,  adjusted  to  the 
meridian  of  Galway.  A  mass  of  frieze-coated,  brown- 
faced,  bullet-headed  peasantry  filling  up  the  large  spaces, 
dotted  here  and  there  with  a  sleek,  roguish-eyed  priest,  or 
some  low  electioneering  agent,  detailing,  for  the  amuse- 
ment of  the  company,  some  of  those  cunning  practices  of 
former  times,  which,  if  known  to  the  proper  authorities, 
would,  in  all  likelihood,  cause  the  talented  narrator  to  be 
improving  the  soil  of  Sydney,  or  fishing  on  the  banks  of 
the  Swan  River ;  while,  at  the  head  and  foot  of  each  table, 
sat  some  personal  friend  of  my  uncle,  whose  ready  tongue, 
and  still  readier  pistol,  made  him  a  personage  of  some  con- 
sequence, not  more  to  his  own  people  than  to  the  enemy. 
While  of  such  material  were  the  company,  the  fare  before 
them  was  no  less  varied :  here  some  rubicund  squire  was 
deep  in  amalgamating  the  contents  of  a  venison  pasty  with 
some  of  Sneyd's  oldest  claret ;  his  neighbour,  less  ambi- 
tious, and  less  erudite  in  such  matters,  was  devouring 
rashers  of  bacon,  with  liberal  potations  of  potteen ;  some 
pale-cheeked  scion  of  the  law,  with  all  the  dust  of  the 
Four  Courts  in  his  throat,  was  sipping  his  humble  beverage 
of  black  tea  beside  four  sturdy  cattle-dealers  from  Ballin- 
asloe,  who  were  discussing  hot  whisky  punch  and  spoleaion 
(boiled  beef)  at  the  very  primitive  hour  of  eight  in  the 
morning.  Amid  the  clank  of  decanters,  the  crash  of  knives 
and  plates,  the  jingling  of  glasses,  the  laughter  and  voices 
of  the  guests  were  audibly  increasing,  and  the  various 
modes  of  "  running  a  buck  "  (Anglice,  substituting  a  vote), 
or  hunting  a  badger,  were  talked  over  on  all  sides,  while 
the  price  of  a  veal  (a  calf)  or  a  voter  was  disputed  with  all 
the  energy  of  debate. 

Refusing  many  an  offered  place,  I  went  through  the  dif- 
ferent rooms  in  search  of  Considine,  to  whom  circun> 
stances  of  late  had  somehow  greatly  attached  me. 


THE    ELECTION.  65 

"  Here,  Charley,"  cried  a  voice  I  was  very  familiar  with 
— "  here's  a  place  I've  been  keeping  for  you." 

"  Ah,  Sir  Harry,  how  do  you  do  ?  Any  of  that  grouse- 
pie  to  spare?" 

"  Abundance,  my  boy ;  but  I'm  afraid  I  can't  say  ag 
much  for  the  liquor  ;  I  have  been  shouting  for  claret  tin's 
half-hour  in  vain — do  get  us  some  nutriment  down  here, 
and  the  Lord  will  reward  you.  What  a  pity  it  is,"  he 
added,  in  a  lower  tone,  to  his  neighbour — "  what  a  pity  a 
quart  bottle  won't  hold  a  quart ;  but  I'll  bring  it  before 
the  House  one  of  these  days."  That  he  kept  his  word  in 
this  respect,  a  motion  on  the  books  of  the  Honourable 
House  will  bear  me  witness. 

"  Is  this  it  ?  "  said  he,  turning  towards  a  farmer-like  old 
man,  who  had  put  some  question  to  him  across  the  table  ; 
"  is  it  the  apple-pie  you'll  have  ?  " 

"  Many  thanks  to  your  honour — I'd  like  it,  av  it  was 
wholesome." 

"And  why  shouldn't  it  be  wholesome?"  said  Sir 
Harry. 

"  Troth,  then,  myself  does  not  know ;  but  my  father,  I 
heerd  tell,  died  of  an  apple-plexy,  and  I'm  afeerd  of  it." 

I  at  length  found  Considine,  and  learned  that,  as  a  very 
good  account  of  Bodkin  had  arrived,  there  was  no  reason 
why  I  should  not  proceed  to  the  hustings ;  but  I  was 
secretly  charged  not  to  take  any  prominent  part  in  the 
day's  proceedings.  My  uncle  I  only  saw  for  an  instant; 
— he  begged  me  to  be  careful,  avoid  all  scrapes,  and  not 
to  quit  Considine.  It  was  past  ten  o'clock  when  our  formid- 
able procession  got  under  way,  and  headed  towards  the 
town  of  Galway.  The  road  was,  for  miles,  crowded  with 
our  followers ;  banners  flying  and  music  playing,  we  pre- 
sented something  of  the  spectacle  of  a  very  ragged  army 
on  its  march.  At  every  cross-road  a  moo ntain -path  rein- 
forcement awaited  us,  and,  as  we  wended  along,  our  num- 
bers were  momentarily  increasing ;  here  and  there  along 
the  line,  some  energetic  and  not  over-sober  adherent  was 
regaling  his  auditory  with  a  speech  in  laudation  of  the 
O'Malleys  since  the  days  of  Moses,  and  more  than  one 
priest  was  heard  threatening  the  terrors  of  his  church  in 
aid  of  a  cause  to  whose  success  he  was  pledged  and  bound. 
I  rode  beside  the  Count,  who,  surrounded  by  a  group  of 


66  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

choice  spirits,  recounted  the  various  happy  inventions  ty 
which  he  had,  on  divers  occasions,  substituted  a  personal 
quarrel  for  a  contest.  Boyle  also  contributed  his  share  of 
election  anecdote,  and  one  incident  he  related,  which,  I 
remember,  amused  me  much  at  the  time. 

"  Do  you  remember  Billy  Calvert,  that  came  down  to 
contest  Kilkenny  ?  "  inquired  Sir  Harry. 

"  "What !  ever  forget  him  !  "  said  Considine,  "  with  his 
well-powdered  wig,  and  his  hessians.  There  never  was  his 
equal  for  lace  ruffles  and  rings." 

"You  never  heard,  maybe,  how  he  lost  the  election  ?" 

"  He  resigned,  I  believe,  or  something  of  that  sort." 

"No,  no,"  said  another;  "he  never  came  forward  at 
all ;  there's  some  secret  in  it,  for  Tom  Butler  was  elected 
without  a  contest." 

"  Jack,  I'll  tell  you  how  it  happened.  I  was  on  my 
way  up  from  Cork,  having  finished  my  own  business,  and 
just  carried  the  day,  not  without  a  push  for  it.  When  we 
reached — Lady  Mary  was  with  me — when  we  reached 
Kilkenny,  the  night  before  the  election,  I  was  not  ten 
minutes  in  town  till  Butler  heard  of  it,  and  sent  off  ex- 
press to  see  me  ;  I  was  at  my  dinner  when  the  messenger 
came,  and  promised  to  go  over  when  I'd  done ;  but,  faith, 
Tom  didn't  wait,  but  came  rushing  upstairs  himself,  and 
dashed  into  the  room  in  the  greatest  hurry. 

" '  Harry,'  says  he,  *  I'm  done  for ;  the  corporation  of 
free  smiths,  that  were  always  above  bribery,  having  voted 
for  myself  and  my  father  before,  for  four  pounds  ten  a 
man,  won't  come  forward  under  six  guineas  and  whisky. 
Calvert  has  the  money;  they  know  it.  The  devil  a  farthing 
we  have  ;  and  we've  been  paying  all  our  fellows  that  can't 
read  in  Hennesy's  notes,  and  you  know  the  bank's  broke 
this  three  weeks.' 

"  On  he  went,  giving  me  a  most  disastrous  picture  of 
his  cause,  and  concluded  by  asking  if  I  could  suggest 
anything  under  the  circumstances. 

" '  You  couldn't  get  a  decent  mob  and  clear  the 
poll?' 

"  '  I  am  afraid  not,'  said  he,  despondingly. 

"  '  Then  I  don't  see  what's  to  be  done,  if  you  can't  pick 
a  fight  with  himself.  "Will  he  go  out  ? ' 

** '  Lord  knows ;  they  say  he's  so  afraid  of  that,  that  it 


THE  ELECTION.  87 

has  prevented  him  coming  down  till  the  very  day.  Buti  he 
is  arrived  now ;  he  came  in  the  evening,  and  is  stopping  at 
Walsh's,  in  Patrick  Street' 

**  *  Then  I'll  see  what  can  be  done,'  said  L 

"  *  Is  that  Calvert,  the  little  man  that  blnshes  when  the 
Lady- Lieutenant  speaks  to  him  ? '  said  Lady  Mary. 

"  '  The  very  man.' 

" '  Would  it  be  of  any  use  to  you  if  he  could  not  come 
on  the  hustings  to-morrow  ? '  said  she  again. 

" '  'Twould  gain  us  the  day ;  half  the  voters  don't 
believe  he's  here  at  all,  and  his  chief  agent  cheated  all 
the  people  on  the  last  election,  and  if  Calvert  didn't 
appear,  he  wouldn't  have  ten  votes  to  register.  But  why 
do  you  ask  ? ' 

** '  Why,  that,  if  you  like,  I'll  bet  you  a  pair  of  diamond 
earrings  he  shan't  show.' 

" '  Done,'  said  Butler ;  *  and  I  promise  a  necklace  into 
the  bargain,  if  you  win,  but  I'm  afraid  you're  only  quiz- 
zing me.' 

"  *  Here's  ray  hand  on  it,'  said  she ;  *  and  now  let's  talk 
of  something  else.' 

"  As  Lady  Mary  never  asked  my  assistance,  and  as  I 
knew  she  was  very  well  able  to  perform  whatever  she 
undertook,  you  may  be  sure  I  gave  myself  very  little 
trouble  about  the  whole  affair,  and,  when  they  came,  I 
went  off  to  breakfast  with  Tom's  committee,  not  knowing 
anything  that  was  to  be  done. 

"  Calvert  had  given  orders  that  he  was  to  be  called  at 
eight  o'clock,  and  so  a  few  minutes  before  that  time  a 
gentle  knock  came  to  the  door. 

"  *  Come  in,'  said  he,  thinking  it  was  the  waiter,  and 
covering  himself  up  in  the  clothes,  for  he  was  the  most 
bashful  creature  ever  was  seen — '  come  in.' 

"  The  door  opened,  and  what  was  his  horror  to  find 
that  a  lady  entered  in  her  dressing-gown,  her  hair  on  her 
shoulders,  very  much  tossed  and  dishevelled !  The  moment 
she  came  in  she  closed  the  door,  and  locked  it,  and  then 
sat  leisurely  down  upon  a  chair. 

"  Billy's  teeth  chattered,  and  his  limbs  trembled,  for 
this  was  an  adventure  of  a  very  novel  kind  for  him.  At 
last  he  took  courage  to  speak. 

" '  I  am  afraid,  madam,'  said  he, '  that  you  are  under 


68  OHABLES  O'MALLEY. 

some  unhappy  mistake,  and  that  you  suppose  this  chamber 
is ' 

"  '  Mr.  Culvert's,'  said  the  lady,  with  a  solemn  voice, '  ia 
it  not?' 

"  *  Yes,  madam,  I  am  that  person.' 

"  *  Thank  God,1  said  the  lady  with  a  very  impr°ssive 
tone,  'here  I  am  safe.' 

"  Billy  grew  very  much  puzzled  at  these  words ;  but 
hoping  that,  by  his  silence,  the  lady  would  proceed  to 
some  explanation,  he  said  no  more.  She,  however,  seemed 
to  think  that  nothing  farther  was  necessary,  and  sat  still 
and  motionless,  with  her  hands  before  her  and  her  eyes 
fixed  on  Billy. 

'"You  seem  to  forget  me,  sir?'  said  she,  with  a  faint 
smile. 

" '  I  do,  indeed,  madam ;  the  half-light,  the  novelty  of 
your  costume,  and  the  strangeness  of  the  circumstance 
altogether,  must  plead  for  me — if  I  appear  rude  enough.' 

" '  I  am  Lady  Mary  Boyle,'  said  she. 

"  *  I  do  remember  you,  madam  ;  but  may  I  ask ?* 

'"Yes,  yes,  I  know  what  you  would  ask;  you  would 
say,  why  are  you  here  ?  how  comes  it  that  you  have  so  far 
outstepped  the  propriety  of  which  your  whole  life  is  an 
example,  that  alone,  at  such  a  time,  you  appear  in  the 
chamber  of  a  man  whose  character  for  gallantry ?' 

"'Oh,  indeed  —  indeed,  my  lady,  nothing  of  the 
kind.' 

"  '  Ah,  alas  !  poor  defenceless  women  learn,  too  late,  how 
constantly  associated  is  the  retiring  modesty  which  decries, 
with  the  pleasing  powers  which  ensure  success ' 

"  Here  she  sobbed,  Billy  blushed,  and  the  clock  struck 
cine. 

" '  May  I  then  beg,  madam ' 

" '  Yes,  yes,  you  shall  hear  it  all ;  but  my  poor  scattered 
faculties  will  not  be  the  clearer  by  your  hurrying  me. 
You  know,  perhaps,'  continued  she,  '  that  my  maiden  name 
was  Kogers?'  He  of  the  blankets  bowed,  and  she  resumed. 
'  It  is  now  eighteen  years  since,  that  a  young,  unsuspecting, 
fond  creature,  reared  in  all  the  care  and  fondness  ot  doting 
parents,  tempted  her  first  step  in  life,  and  trusted  her  fate 
to  another's  keeping.  I  am  that  unhappy  person ;  the 
other,  that  monster  in  human  guise  that  smiled  but  to 


THE   ELECTION.  69 

betray,  that  won  but  to  ruin  and  destroy,  is  he  whom  you 
know  as  Sir  Harry  Boyle.' 

"  Here  she  sobbed  for  some  minutes,  wiped  her  eyes,  and 
resumed  her  narrative.  Beginning  at  the  period  of  her 
marriage,  she  detailed  a  number  of  circumstances,  in  which 
poor  Calvert,  in  all  his  anxiety  to  come  au  fond  at  matters, 
could  never  perceive  bore  upon  the  question  in  any  way ; 
but,  as  she  recounted  them  all  with  great  force  and  pre- 
cision, entreating  him  to  bear  in  mind  certain  circumstances 
to  which  she  should  recur  by-and-by,  his  attention  was 
kept  on  the  stretch,  and  it  was  only  when  the  clock 
struck  ten  that  he  was  fully  aware  how  his  morning 
was  passing,  and  what  surmises  his  absence  might 
originate. 

" '  May  I  interrupt  yon  for  a  moment,  dear  madam  P 
Was  it  nine  or  ten  o'clock  which  struck  last?' 

"' How  should  I  know? 'said  she,  frantically.  'What 
are  hours  and  minutes  to  her  who  has  passed  long  years  of 
misery?' 

"  '  Very  true— very  true,'  replied  he,  timidly,  and  rather 
fearing  for  the  intellects  of  his  fair  companion. 

"  She  continued. 

"  The  narrative,  however,  so  far  from  becoming  clearer, 
grew  gradually  more  confused  and  intricate,  and,  as  fre- 
quent references  were  made  by  the  lady  to  some  previous 
statement,  Calvert  was  more  than  once  rebuked  for  forget- 
fulness  and  inattention,  where,  in  reality,  nothing  less  than 
shorthand  could  have  borne  him  through. 

"  « Was  it  in  '93  I  said  Sir  Harry  left  me  at  Tuam  ?' 

*' '  Upon  my  life,  madam,  I  am  afraid  to  aver ;  but  it 
strikes  me ' 

" '  Gracious  powers !  and  this  is  he  whom  I  fondly 
trusted  to  make  the  depositary  of  my  woes — cruel,  cruel 
man.'  Here  she  sobbed  considerably  for  several  minutes, 
and  spoke  not. 

"  A  loud  cheer  of  '  Butler  for  ever ! '  from  the  mob 
without,  now  burst  upon  their  hearing,  and  recalled  poor 
Calvert  at  once  to  the  thought  that  tlie  hours  were  speed- 
ing fast,  and  no  prospect  of  the  everlasting  tale  coming  to 
an  end. 

"  '  I  am  deeply,  most  deeply  grieved,  ray  dear  madam,' 
said  the  little  man.  sitting  up  in  a  pyramid  of  blankets, 


70  CHARLES   O'M ALLEY. 

but  hours,  minutes,  are  most  precious  to  me  this  morning. 
I  am  about  to  be  proposed  as  member  for  Kilkenny.' 

"  At  these  words  the  lady  straightened  her  figure  out, 
threw  her  arms  at  either  side,  and  burst  into  a  fit  of 
laughter,  which  poor  Calvert  knew  at  once  to  be  hysterics. 
Here  was  a  pretty  situation :  the  bell-rope  lay  against  the 
opposite  wall,  and,  even  if  it  did  not,  would  he  be  exactly 
warranted  in  pulling  it  ? 

"  *  May  the  devil  and  all  his  angels  take  Sir  Harry  Boyle 
and  his  whole  connection  to  the  fifth  generation,'  was  his 
sincere  prayer,  as  he  sat,  like  a  Chinese  juggler,  under  his 
canopy. 

"  At  length  the  violence  of  the  paroxysm  seemed  to 
subside,  the  sobs  became  less  frequent,  the  kicking  less 
forcible,  and  the  lady's  eyes  closed,  and  she  appeared  to 
have  fallen  asleep. 

"  '  Now  is  the  moment,'  said  Billy ;  *  if  I  could  only  get 
as  far  as  my  dressing-gown.'  So  saying,  he  worked  him- 
self down  noiselessly  to  the  foot  of  his  bed,  looked  fixedly 
at  the  fallen  lids  of  the  sleeping  lady,  and  essayed  one  leg 
from  the  blankets.  '  Now  or  never,'  said  he,  pushing  aside 
the  curtain,  and  preparing  for  a  spring.  One  more  look 
he  cast  at  his  companion,  and  then  leaped  forth  ;  but  just 
as  he  lit  upon  the  floor,  she  again  roused  herself,  screaming 
with  horror.  Billy  fell  upon  the  bed,  and,  rolling  himself 
in  the  bedclothes,  vowed  never  to  rise  again  till  she  was 
out  of  the  visible  horizon. 

"'  What  is  all  this?  what  do  you  mean,  sir?'  said  tne 
lady,  reddening  with  indignation. 

"  'Nothing,  upon  my  soul,  madam  ;  it  was  only  my 
dressing-gown ! ' 

"  *  Your  dressing-gown ! '  said  she,  with  an  emphasis 
worthy  of  Siddons  ;  'a  likely  story  for  Sir  Harry  to  believe, 
sir;  fie,  fie,  sir.' 

"  This  last  allusion  seemed  a  settler ;  for  the  luckless 
Calvert  heaved  a  profound  sigh,  and  sunk  down  as  if  all 
hope  had  left  him.  *  Butler  for  ever  ! '  roared  the  mob ; 
'  Calvert  for  ever ! '  cried  a  boy's  voice  from  without ; 
'Three  groans  for  the  runaway! '  answered  this  announce- 
ment ;  and  a  very  tender  inquiry  of, '  Where  is  he  ?  '  was 
raised  by  some  hundred  mouths. 

" '  Madam,'  said  the  almost  frantic  listener — '  madam,  I 


THE  ELECTION.  71 

must  get  np ;  I  must  dress.  I  beg  of  you  to  permit 
roe.' 

"  '  I  have  nothing  to  refuse,  sir.  Alas !  disdain  has  long 
been  my  only  portion.  Get  up,  if  you  will.' 

"'But,'  said  the  astonished  man,  who  was  well-nigh 
deranged  at  the  coolness  of  this  reply — '  but  how  am  I  to 
do  so  if  you  sit  there  ?  ' 

"  '  Sorry  for  any  inconvenience  I  may  cause  you  ;  but, 
in  the  crowded  state  of  the  hotel,  I  hope  you  see  the 
impropriety  of  my  walking  about  the  passages  in  this 
costume  ? ' 

" '  And,  great  God !  madam,  why  did  you  come  out 
in  it?' 

"  A  cheer  from  the  mob  prevented  her  reply  being 
audible.  One  o'clock  tolled  out  from  the  great  bell  of  the 
cathedral. 

" '  There's  one  o'clock,  as  I  live.' 

M '  I  heard  it,'  said  the  lady. 

" '  The  shouts  are  increasing.  What  is  that  I  hear  ? 
Sutler  if  in.  Gracious  mercy,  is  the  election  over  ?  ' 

"  The  lady  stepped  to  the  window,  drew  aside  the  cur- 
tain, and  said,  '  Indeed,  it  would  appear  so.  The  mob  are 
cheering  Mr.  Butler.'  [A  deafening  shout  burst  from  the 
street.]  *  Perhaps  you'd  like  to  see  the  fun,  so  I'll  not 
detain  you  any  longer.  So,  good-bye,  Mr;  Calvert ;  and  as 
your  breakfast  will  be  cold,  in  all  likelihood,  come  down 
to  No.  4,  for  Sir  Harry's  a  late  man,  and  will  be  glad  to 
see  you.' " 


CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 


CHAPTER    XL 

AH  ADTXNTURB. 

As  tliTis  we  lightened  the  road  with  chatting,  the  increas- 
ing concourse  of  people,  and  the  greater  throng  of  car- 
riages  that  filled  the  road,  announced  that  we  had  nearly 
reached  our  destination. 

"  Considine,"  said  my  uncle,  riding  up  to  where  we 
were,  "  I  have  just  got  a  few  lines  from  Davern.  It  seems 
Bodkin's  people  are  afraid  ta  come  in :  they  know  what 
they  must  expect,  and  if  so,  more  than  half  of  that  barony 
is  lost  to  our  opponent." 

"  Then  he  has  no  chance  whatever." 

*'  He  never  had,  in  my  opinion,"  said  Sir  Harry. 

"  We'll  see  soon,"  said  my  uncle,  cheerfully,  and  rode 
to  the  post. 

The  remainder  of  the  way  was  occupied  in  discussing 
the  various  possibilities  of  the  election,  into  which  I  was 
rejoiced  to  find  that  defeat  never  entered. 

In  the  goodly  days  I  speak  of,  a  county  contest  was  a 
rery  different  thing  indeed  from  the  tame  and  insipid 
farce  that  now  passes  under  that  name  ;  where  a  briefless 
barrister,  bullied  by  both  sides,  sits  as  assessor — a  few 
drunken  voters — a  radical  O'Connellite  grocer — a  dema- 
gogue priest — a  deputy  grand  purple  something  from  the 
Trinity  College  lodge,  with  some  half-dozen  followers, 
shouting,  "  To  the  devil  with  Peel !  "  or  "  Down  with 
Dens !  "  form  the  whole  corps  de  ballet.  No,  no ;  in  the 
times  I  refer  to  the  voters  were  some  thousands  in  number, 
and  the  adverse  parties  took  the  field,  far  less  dependent 
for  success  upon  previous  pledge  or  promise  made  them, 
than  upon  the  actual  stratagem  of  the  day.  Each  went 
forth,  like  a  general  to  battle,  surrounded  by  a  numerous 
and  well-chosen  staff;  one  party  of  friends  acting  as  com- 
missariat, attended  to  the  victualling  of  the  voters, — that 
they  obtained  a  due,  or  rather  undue  allowance  of  liquor, 
and  came  properly  drunk  to  the  poll ;  others,  again,  broke 


AN   ADVENTURE.  73 

into  skirmishing  parties,  and,  scattered  over  the  country, 
cut  off  the  enemy's  supplies,  breaking  down  their  post- 
chaises,  upsetting  their  jaunting-cars,  stealing  their  poll- 
books,  and  kidnapping  their  agents.  Then  there  were 
secret  service  people,  bribing  the  enemy  and  enticing  them 
to  desert ;  and  lastly,  there  was  a  species  of  sapper-and- 
mincr  force,  who  invented  false  documents,  denied  the 
identity  of  the  opposite  party's  people,  and,  when  hard 
pushed,  provided  persons  who  took  bribes  from  the  enemy, 
and  gave  evidence  afterwards  on  a  petition.  Amid  all 
these  encounters  of  wit  and  ingenuity,  the  personal  friends 
of  the  candidate  formed  a  species  of  rifle  brigade,  picking 
out  the  enemy's  officers,  and  doing  sore  damage  to  their 
tactics,  by  shooting  a  proposer,  or  wounding  a  seconder — 
a  considerable  portion  of  every  leading  agent's  fee  being 
intended  as  compensation  for  the  duels  he  might,  could, 
would,  should,  or  ought  to  fight  during  the  election.  Such, 
in  brief,  was  a  contest  in  the  olden  time ;  and,  when  it 
is  taken  into  consideration  that  it  usually  lasted  a  fort- 
night or  three  weeks,  that  a  considerable  military  force 
was  always  engaged  (for  our  Irish  law  permits  this),  and 
which,  when  nothing  pressing  was  doing,  was  regularly 
assailed  by  both  parties — that  far  more  dependence  was 
placed  in  a  bludgeon  than  a  pistol — and  that  the  man  who 
registered  a  vote  without  a  cracked  pate  was  regarded  as 
a  kind  of  natural  phenomenon,  some  faint  idea  may  be 
formed  how  much  such  a  scene  must  have  contributed  to 
the  peace  of  the  county,  and  the  happiness  and  welfare 
of  all  concerned  in  it. 

As  we  rode  along,  a  loud  cheer  from  a  road  that  ran 
parallel  to  the  one  we  were  pursuing  attracted  our  atten- 
tion, and  we  perceived  that  the  cortege  of  the  opposite 
party  was  hastening  on  to  the  hustings.  I  could  dis- 
tinguish the  Blakes'  girls  on  horseback  among  a  crowd  of 
officers  in  undress,  and  saw  something  like  a  bonnet  in  the 
carriage-and-four  which  headed  the  procession,  and  which 
I  judged  to  be  that  of  Sir  George  Dashwood.  My  heart 
beat  strongly  as  I  strained  my  eyes  to  see  if  Miss  Dash- 
wood  was  there ;  but  I  could  not  discern  her,  and  it  was 
with  a  sense  of  relief  that  I  reflected  on  the  possibility  of 
our  not  meeting  under  circumstances  wherein  our  feelings 
and  interests  were  so  completely  opposed.  While  I  waa 


74  CHAKLES  O'MALLBT. 

engaged  in  making  this  survey,  I  had  accidentally  dropped 
behind  my  companions ;  my  eyes  were  firmly  fixed  upon 
that  carriage,  and,  in  the  faint  hope  that  it  contained  th« 
object  of  all  my  wishes,  I  forgot  everything  else.  At 
length  the  cortege  entered  the  town,  and,  passing  beneath 
a  heavy  stone  gateway,  was  lost  to  my  view.  I  was  still 
lost  in  reverie,  when  an  under-agent  of  my  uncle  s  roclo  up. 

"Oh!  Master  Charles,"  said  he,  "what's  to  be  done? 
They've  forgotten  Mr.  Holmes  at  Woodford,  and  we 
haven't  a  carriage,  chaise,  or  even  a  car  left  to  send 
for  him." 

"  Have  you  told  Mr.  Considine  ?  M  inquired  L 

"  And  sure  you  know  yourself  how  little  Mr.  Considine 
thinks  of  a  lawyer.  It's  small  comfort  he'd  give  me  if  I 
went  to  tell  him :  if  it  was  a  case  of  pistols  or  a  bullet 
mould,  he'd  ride  back  the  whole  way  himself  for  them." 

"  Try  Sir  Harry  Boyle,  then." 

"  He's  making  a  speech  this  minute  before  the  Court- 
house." 

This  had  sufficed  to  show  me  how  far  behind  my  com- 
panions I  had  been  loitering,  when  a  cheer  from  the  dis- 
tant road  again  turned  my  eyes  in  that  direction ;  it  was 
the  Dashwood  carriage  returning  after  leaving  Sir  George 
at  the  hustings.  The  head  of  the  britska,  before  thrown 
open,  was  now  closed,  and  I  could  not  make  out  if  any 
one  were  inside. 

"  Devil  a  doubt  of  it,"  said  the  agent,  in  answer  to  some 
question  of  a  farmer  who  rode  beside  him ;  "  will  you 
stand  to  me  ?  " 

"  Troth,  to  be  sure  I  will." 

"  Here  goes,  then,"  said  he,  gathering  up  his  reins  and 
turning  his  horse  towards  the  fence  at  the  roadside ; 
"follow  me  now,  boys." 

The  order  was  well  obeyed,  for,  when  he  had  cleared 
the  ditch,  a  dozen  stout  country  fellows,  well  mounted, 
were  beside  him.  Away  they  went  at  a  hunting  pace, 
taking  every  leap  before  them,  and  heading  towards  the 
road  before  us. 

Without  thinking  further  of  the  matter,  I  was  laughing 
at  the  droll  effect  the  line  of  frieze  coats  presented  as  they 
rode  side  by  side,  over  the  stone  walls,  when  an  observa- 
tion near  me  aroused  my  attention. 


AN   ADVENTURE.  75 

IC  Ah,  then,  av  they  know  anything  of  Tim  Finucana 
they'll  give  it  up  peaceably :  it's  little  he'd  think  of  taking 
the  coach  from  under  the  judge  himself." 

"  What  are  they  about,  boys  ?  "  said  I. 

"  Goin'  to  take  the  chaise-and-four  forninst  ye,  yer 
honour,"  said  the  man. 

I  waited  not  to  hear  more,  but  darting  spurs  into  my 
horse's  sides,  cleared  the  fence  in  one  bound.  My  horse, 
a  strong-knit  half-bred,  was  as  fast  as  a  racer  for  a  short 
distance  ;  so  that  when  the  agent  and  his  party  had  come 
up  with  the  carriage,  I  was  only  a  few  hundred  yards  be- 
hind. I  shouted  out  with  all  my  might,  but  they  either 
heard  not  or  heeded  not,  for  scarcely  was  the  first  man 
over  the  fence  into  the  road,  when  the  postilion  on  the 
leader  was  felled  to  the  ground,  and  his  place  supplied  by 
his  slayer ;  the  boy  on  the  wheeler  shared  the  same  fate, 
and,  in  an  instant,  so  well  managed  was  the  attack,  the 
carriage  was  in  possession  of  the  assailants.  Four  stout 
fellows  had  climbed  into  the  box  and  the  rumble,  and  six 
others  were  climbing  to  the  interior,  regardless  of  the  aid 
of  steps.  By  this  time  the  Dashwood  party  had  got  the 
alarm,  and  returned  in  full  force — not,  however,  before 
the  other  had  laid  whip  to  the  horses,  and  set  out  in  full 
gallop ;  and  now  commenced  the  most  terrific  race  I 
ever  witnessed. 

The  four  carriage-horses,  which  were  the  property  of 
Sir  George,  were  English  thorough-breds  of  great  value, 
and,  totally  unaccustomed  to  the  treatment  they  experienced, 
dashed  forward  at  a  pace  that  threatened  annihilation  to 
the  carriage  at  every  bound.  The  pursuers,  though  well 
mounted,  were  speedily  distanced,  but  followed  at  a  pace 
that,  in  the  end,  was  certain  to  overtake  the  carriage.  As 
for  myself,  I  rode  on  beside  the  road,  at  the  full  speed  of 
my  horse,  shouting,  cursing,  imploring,  execrating,  and 
beseeching  at  turns,  but  all  in  vain — the  yells  and  shouts 
of  the  pursuers  and  pursued  drowned  all  other  sounds, 
except  when  the  thundering  crash  of  the  horses'  feet  rose 
above  all.  The  road,  like  most  western  Irish  roads  until 
the  present  century,  lay  straight  as  an  arrow  for  miles,  re- 
gardless of  every  opposing  barrier,  and,  in  the  instance  in 
question,  crossed  a  mountain  at  its  very  highest  point. 
Towards  this  pinnacle  the  pace  had  been  tremendous ;  but, 

Vol.  30— (4) 


76  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

owing  to  the  higher  breeding  of  the  cattle,  the  carriage 
party  had  still  the  advance,  and  when  they  reached  the 
top  they  proclaimed  the  victory  by  a  cheer  of  triumph  and 
derision.  The  carriage  disappeared  beneath  the  crest  of 
the  mountain,  and  the  pursuers  halted,  as  if  disposed  to 
relinquish  the  chase. 

"  Come  on,  boys.  Never  give  up,"  cried  I,  springing 
over  into  the  road,  and  heading  the  party  to  which  by  every 
right  1  was  opposed. 

It  was  no  time  for  deliberation,  and  they  followed  me 
with  a  hearty  cheer  that  convinced  me  I  was  unknown. 
The  next  instant  we  were  on  the  mountain  top,  and  beheld 
the  carriage  half  way  down  beneath  us,  still  galloping  at 
full  stretch. 

"  We  have  them  now,"  said  a  voice  behind  me ;  "  they'll 
never  turn  Lurra  Bridge,  if  we  only  press  on." 

The  speaker  was  right :  the  road  at  the  mountain  foot 
turned  at  a  perfect  right  angle,  and  then  crossed  a  lofty 
one-arched  bridge,  over  a  mountain  torrent  that  ran  deep 
and  boisterously  beneath.  On  we  went,  gaining  at  every 
stride,  for  the  fellows  who  rode  postilion  well  knew  what 
was  before  them,  and  slackened  their  pace  to  secure  a  safe 
turning.  A  yell  of  victory  arose  from  the  pursuers,  but 
was  answered  by  the  others  with  a  cheer  of  defiance.  The 
space  was  now  scarcely  two  hundred  yards  between  us, 
when  the  head  of  the  britska  was  flung  down,  and  a  figure 
that  I  at  once  recognized  as  the  redoubted  Tim  Finucane, 
one  of  the  boldest  and  most  reckless  fellows  in  the  county, 
was  seen  standing  on  the  seat,  holding — gracious  Heavens  ! 
it  was  true — holding  in  his  arms  the  apparently  lifeless 
figure  of  Miss  Dashwood. 

"  Hold  in  ! "  shouted  the  ruffian,  with  a  voice  that  rose 
high  above  all  the  other  sounds.  "Hold  in  I  or,  by  the 
Eternal,  I'll  throw  her,  body  and  bones,  into  the  Lurra 
Gash  !  "  for  such  was  the  torrent  called,  that  boiled  and 
foamed  a  few  yards  before  us. 

He  had  by  this  time  got  firmly  planted  on  the  hind  seat, 
and  held  the  drooping  form  on  one  arm,  with  all  the  ease 
of  a  giant's  grasp. 

"  For  the  love  of  God  !  "  said  I,  "  pull  up.  I  know  him 
well — hell  do  it  to  a  certainty  if  you  press  on." 

"  And  we  know  you  too,"  said  a  ruffianly  fellow,  with  a 


AN   ADVENTURE.  77 

dnrk  whisker  meeting  beneath  his  chin,  "  and  have  some 
scores  to  settle  ere  we  part " 

But  I  heard  no  more.  With  one  tremendous  effort  I 
dashed  my  horse  forward.  The  carriage  turned  an  angle 
of  the  road — for  an  instant  was  out  of  sight — another 
moment  I  was  behind  it. 

"  Stop ! "  I  shouted,  with  a  last  effort,  but  in  vain.  The 
horses,  maddened  and  infuriated,  sprang  forward,  and, 
heedless  of  all  efforts  to  turn  them,  the  leaders  sprang  over 
the  low  parapet  of  the  bridge,  and  hanging  for  a  second  by 
the  traces,  fell  wtth  a  crash  into  the  swollen  torrent  beneath. 
By  this  time  I  was  beside  the  carriage.  Pinucane  had 
now  clambered  to  the  box,  and,  regardless  of  the  death 
arid  ruin  around,  bent  upon  his  murderous  object,  he  lifted 
the  light  and  girlish  form  above  his  head,  bent  backwards, 
as  if  to  give  greater  impulse  to  his  effort,  when,  twining 
my  lash  around  my  wrist,  I  levelled  my  heavy  and  loaded 
hunting  whip  at  his  head ;  the  weighted  ball  of  lead  struck 
him  exactly  beneath  his  hat,  he  staggered,  his  hands  re- 
laxed, and  he  fell  lifeless  to  the  ground :  the  same  instant 
I  was  felled  to  the  earth  by  a  blow  from  behind,  and  saw 
no  more. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

MICKEY    FRKK. 

NEARLY  three  weeks  followed  the  event  I  have  just  nar- 
rated ere  I  again  was  restored  to  consciousness.  The  blow 
by  which  1  was  felled — from  what  hand  coming  it  was 
never  afterwards  discovered — had  brought  on  concussion 
of  the  brain,  and  for  several  days  my  life  was  despaired 
of.  As  by  slow  steps  I  advanced  towards  recovery,  I 
learned  from  Considine  that  Miss  Dashwood,  whose  life 
was  saved  by  my  interference,  had  testified,  in  the  warmest 


78  OHABLES  O'MALLEY. 

manner,  her  gratitude,  and  that  Sir  George  had,  up  to  the 
period  of  his  leaving  the  country,  never  omitted  a  single 
day  to  ride  over  and  inquire  for  me. 

"  You  know,  of  course,"  said  the  Count,  supposing  such 
news  was  the  most  likely  to  interest  me — "  you  know  we 
beat  them  ?  " 

"  No,  pray  tell  me  all.  They've  not  let  me  hear  any. 
fching  hitherto!" 

"  One  day  finished  the  whole  affair.  We  polled  man  for 
man  till  past  two  o'clock,  when  our  fellows  lost  all 
patience,  and  beat  their  tallies  out  of  the  town.  The 
police  came  up,  but  they  beat  the  police ;  then  they  got 
soldiers,  but  begad  they  were  too  strong  for  them,  too.  Sir 
George  witnessed  it  all,  and,  knowing  besides  how  little 
chance  he  had  of  success,  deemed  it  best  to  give  in ;  so 
that  a  little  before  five  o'clock  he  resigned.  I  must  say 
no  man  could  behave  better.  He  came  across  the  hustings 
and  shook  hands  with  Godfrey ;  and,  as  the  news  of  the 
scrimmage  with  his  daughter  had  just  arrived,  said  that  he 
was  sorry  his  prospect  of  success  had  not  been  greater, 
that,  in  resigning,  he  might  testify  how  deeply  he  felt  the 
debt  the  O'Malleys  had  laid  him  under." 

"  And  my  uncle,  how  did  he  receive  his  advances  ?  " 

"  Like  his  own  honest  self ;  grasped  his  hand  firmly ; 
and  upon  my  soul  I  think  he  was  half  sorry  that  he  gained 
the  day.  Do  you  know,  he  took  a  mighty  fancy  to  that 
blue-eyed  daughter  of  the  old  General's.  Faith,  Charley, 
if  he  was  some  twenty  years  younger,  I  would  not  say 
but Come,  come,  I  didn't  mean  to  hurt  your  feel- 
ings; but  I  have  been  staying  here  too  long.  I'll  send  up 
Mickey  to  sit  with  you.  Mind  and  don't  be  talking  too 
much  to  him." 

So  saying,  the  worthy  Count  left  the  room,  fully  im- 
pressed that,  in  hinting  at  the  possibility  of  my  uncle's 
marrying  again,  he  had  said  something  to  ruffle  my 
temper. 

For  the  next  two  or  three  weeks  my  life  was  one  of  the 
most  tiresome  monotony.  Strict  injunctions  had  been 
given  by  the  doctors  to  avoid  exciting  me ;  and,  conse- 
quently, every  one  that  came  in  walked  on  tiptoe,  spoke 
in  whispers,  and  left  me  in  five  minutes.  Reading  was 
absolutely  forbidden ;  and,  with  a  sombre  half-light  to  sit 


MICKEY    FREE.  79 

in,  and  chicken  broth  to  support  nature,  I  dragged  out  as 
dreary  an  existence  as  any  gentleman  west  of  Athlone. 

Whenever  my  uncle  or  Considine  were  not  in  the  room, 
my  companion  was  my  own  servant,  Michael,  or,  as  he  was 
better  known,  "  Mickey  Free."  Now,  had  Mickey  been 
left  to  his  own  free  and  unrestricted  devices,  the  time 
would  not  have  hung  so  heavily  ;  for,  among  Mike's  mani- 
fold gifts,  he  was  possessed  of  a  very  great  flow  of  gossip- 
ing conversation;  he  knew  all  that  was  doing  in  the 
county,  and  never  was  barren  in  his  information  wherever 
his  imagination  could  come  into  play.  Mickey  was  the 
best  hurler  in  the  barony,  no  mean  performer  on  the  violin, 
could  dance  the  national  bolero  of  "  Tatter  Jack  Walsh  " 
in  a  way  that  charmed  more  than  one  soft  heart  beneath  a 
red  woolsey  bodice,  and  had,  withal,  the  peculiar  free-and- 
easy  devil-may-care  kind  of  off-hand  Irish  way,  that  never 
deserted  him  in  the  midst  of  his  wiliest  and  most  subtle 
moments,  giving  to  a  very  deep  and  cunning  .fellow  all 
the  apparent  frankness  and  openness  of  a  country  lad. 

He  had  attached  himself  to  me  as  a  kind  of  sporting 
companion ;  and,  growing  daily  more  and  more  useful, 
had  been  gradually  admitted  to  the  honours  of  the  kitchen 
and  the  prerogatives  of  cast  clothes,  without  ever  having 
been  actually  engaged  as  a  servant ;  and  while  thus  no 
warrant  officer,  as,  in  fact,  he  discharged  all  his  duties  well 
and  punctually,  was  rated  among  the  ship's  company, 
though  no  one  could  say  at  what  precise  period  he  changed 
his  caterpillar  existence  and  became  the  gay  butterfly,  with 
cords  and  tops,  a  striped  vest,  and  a  most  knowing  jerry 
hat,  who  stalked  about  the  stable  yard  and  bullied  the 
helpers.  Such  was  Mike.  He  had  made  his  fortune,  such 
as  it  was,  and  had  a  most  becoming  pride  in  the  fact  that 
he  made  himself  indispensable  to  an  establishment  which, 
before  he  entered  it,  never  knew  the  want  of  him.  As  for 
me,  he  was  everything  to  me.  Mike  informed  me  what 
horse  was  strong,  why  the  chestnut  mare  couldn't  go  out, 
and  why  the  black  horse  could.  He  knew  the  arrival  of  a 
new  covey  of  partridges  quicker  than  the  Morning  Post 
does  of  a  noble  family  from  the  Continent,  and  could  tell 
their  whereabouts  twice  as  accurately  ;  but  his  talents 
took  a  wider  range  than  field  sports  afford,  and  he  was 
the  faithful  chronicler  of  every  wake,  station,  wedding, 


80  OHABLES  O'MALLBY. 

or  christening  for  miles  round ;  and  as  I  took  no  small 
pleasure  in  those  very  national  pastimes,  the  information 
was  of  great  value  to  me.  To  conclude  this  brief  sketch, 
Mike  was  a  devout  Catholic,  in  the  same  sense  that  he 
was  enthusiastic  about  anything  ;  that  is,  he  believed  and 
obeyed  exactly  as  far  as  suited  his  own  peculiar  notions  of 
comfort  and  happiness.  Beyond  that,  his  scepticism  stepped 
in  and  saved  him  from  inconvenience:  and  though  he 
might  have  been  somewhat  puzzled  to  reduce  his  faith  to 
a  rubric,  still  it  answered  his  purpose,  and  that  was  all 
he  wanted.  Such,  in  short,  was  my  valet,  Mickey  Free, 
and  who,  had  not  heavy  injunctions  been  laid  on  him  as 
to  silence  and  discretion,  would  well  have  lightened  my 
weary  hours. 

"Ah!  then,  Misther  Charles,"  said  he,  with  a  half- 
suppressed  yawn  at  the  long  period  of  probation  his 
tongue  had  been  undergoing  in  silence — *  ah !  then,  but 
ye  were  mighty  near  it." 

"Near  what?"  said  I. 

"  Faith,  then,  myself  doesn't  well  know.  Some  say  it's 
pnrgathory ;  but  it's  hard  to  tell." 

"  I  thought  you  were  too  good  a  Catholic,  Mickey,  to 
show  any  doubts  on  the  matter?" 

"  Maybe  I  am  —  maybe  I  ain't,"  was  the  cautious 
reply. 

"  Wouldn't  Father  Roach  explain  any  of  your  difficulties 
for  you,  if  you  went  over  to  him  ?  " 

"  Faix,  it's  little  I'd  mind  his  explainings." 

"  And  why  not  ?  " 

"  Easy,  enough.  If  you  ax  ould  Miles  there,  without, 
what  does  he  be  doing  with  all  the  powther  and  shot, 
wouldn't  he  tell  you  he's  shooting  the  rooks,  and  the  mag- 
pies, and  some  other  varmint  ?  but  myself  knows  he  sells 
it  to  Widow  Casey,  at  two-and-fourpence  a  pound  :  so 
belikes,  Father  Roach  may  be  shooting  away  at  the  poor 
souls  in  purgathory,  that  all  this  time  are  enjoying  the 
hoith  of  fine  living  in  heaven,  ye  understand." 

"  And  you  think  that's  the  way  of  it,  Mickey  ?  " 

"  Troth,  it's  likely.  Anyhow,  I  know  it's  not  the  place 
they  make  it  out." 

"  Why,  how  do  you  mean  ?  " 

"  Well,  then,  I'll  tell  you  Misther  Charles ;   but  you 


MICKEY   FREB.  81 

must  not  be  saying  anything  abont  it  afther ;  for  I  don't 
like  to  talk  about  these  kind  of  things." 

Having  pledged  myself  to  the  requisite  silence  and 
secrecy,  Mickey  began  : 

"  Maybe  you  heard  tell  of  the  way  my  father,  rest  his 
soul,  wherever  he  is,  came  to  his  end.  Well,  I  needn't 
mind  particulars,  but,  in  short,  he  was  murdered  in  Bal- 
linasloe  one  night,  when  he  was  baitin'  the  whole  town 
with  a  blackthorn  stick  he  had,  more  by  token,  a  piece  of 
scythe  was  stuck  at  the  end  of  it ;  a  nate  weapon,  and  one 
he  was  mighty  partial  to  :  but  these  murdering  thieves,  the 
cattle  dealers,  that  never  cared  for  diversion  of  any  kind, 
fell  on  him  and  broke  his  skull. 

"  Well,  we  had  a  very  agreeable  wake,  and  plenty  of  the 
best  of  everything,  and  to  spare,  and  I  thought  it  was  all 
over ;  but  somehow,  though  I  paid  Father  Roach  fifteen 
shillings,  and  made  him  mighty  drunk,  he  always  gave  me 
a  black  look  wherever  I  met  him,  and  when  I  took  off  my 
hat,  he'd  turn  away  his  head  displeased  like. 

"  *  Murder  and  ages,'  say>>  I,  '  what's  this  for  ? '  but  as 
I've  a  light  heart,  I  bore  up,  and  didn't  think  more  about 
it.  One  day,  however,  I  was  coming  home  from  Athlone 
market,  by  myself  on  the  road,  when  Father  Roach 
overtook  me.  '  Devil  a  one  a  me  'ill  take  any  notice 
of  you  now,'  says  I,  '  and  we'll  see  what  11  come  out  of 
it.'  So  the  priest  rid  up,  and  looked  me  straight  in  the 
face. 

" '  Mickey,*  says  he — '  Mickey.' 

"  '  Father,'  says  I. 

*' '  Is  it  that  way  you  salute  your  olargy,1  says  he,  '  with 
your  caubeen  on  your  head  ? ' 

"  '  Faix,'  says  I,  '  it's  little  ye  mind  whether  it's  an  or 
aff,  for  you  never  take  the  trouble  to  say,  "  By  your 
leave,"  or  "  Damn  your  soul,"  or  any  other  politeness, 
when  we  meet.' 

"  '  You're  an  ungrateful  creature,'  says  he;  '  and  if  you 
only  knew,  you'd  be  trembling  in  your  skin  before  me, 
this  minute.' 

" '  Devil  a  tremble,"  says  I, '  after  walking  six  miles 
this  way." 

" '  You're  an  obstinate,  hard-hearted  sinner,'  says  he, 
'and  it's  no  use  in  telling  you.' 


82  CHARLES  O'MALLET. 

44  *  Telling  me  what?  '  says  I,  for  I  was  getting  curious 
to  make  out  what  he  meant. 

*' '  Mickey/  Bays  he,  changing  his  voice,  and  putting 
his  head  down  close  to  me — '  Mickey,  I  saw  your  father 
last  night.' 

**  *  The  saints  be  merciful  to  us !  *  says  I, '  did  ye  ?  * 

44  *  I  did,'  says  he. 

44  *  Tear  an  ages,'  says  I,  *  did  he  tell  you  what  he  did 
with  the  new  corduroys  he  bought  in  the  fair  ?  ' 

"  '  Oh  1  then  yon  are  a  could-hearted  creature,'  says  he, 
'  and  I'll  not  lose  time  with  you.'  With  that  he  was  going 
to  ride  away,  when  I  took  hold  of  the  bridle. 

"  '  Father,  darling,'  says  I,  '  God  pardon  me,  but  them 
breeches  is  goin'  between  me  an'  my  night's  rest ;  but  teil 
me  about  my  father?' 

**  *  Oh  !  then  he's  in  a  melancholy  state ! ' 

** '  Whereabouts  is  he  ?  '  says  I. 

44 '  In  purgathory,'  says  he  ;  '  but  he  won't  be  there  long.' 

4* '  Well,'  says  I,  '  that's  a  comfort,  anyhow.' 

"  *  I'm  glad  yon  think  so,'  says  he  ;  '  but  there's  more  of 
the  other  opinion.' 

444  What's  thatf  says  I. 

44 '  That  hell's  worse.' 

44 '  Oh !  melia-murther,'  says  I,  4  is  that  it  ? ' 

44  4  Ay,  that's  it.' 

"  Well,  I  was  so  terrified  and  frightened,  I  said  nothing 
for  some  time,  but  trotted  along  beside  the  priest's  horse. 

"  '  Father,'  says  I,  '  how  long  will  it  be  before  they  send 
him  where  you  know  ? ' 

"  *  It  will  not  be  long  now,'  says  he,  *  for  they're  tired 
entirely  with  him :  they've  no  peace  night  or  day,'  says  he. 
4  Mickey,  your  father  is  a  mighty  hard  man.' 

"'True  for  yon,  Father  .Roach,'  says  I  to  myself;  'av 
he  had  only  the  ould  stick  with  the  scythe  in  it,  I  wish 
them  joy  of  his  company.' 

"'Mickey,'  says  he,  'I  see  you're  grieved,  and  I  don't 
wonder ;  sure  it's  a  great  disgrace  to  a  decent  family.' 

"  *  Troth,  it  is,'  says  I,  '  but  my  father  always  liked  low 
company.  Could  nothing  be  done  for  him  now,  Father 
Roach  ?  '  says  I,  looking  up  in  the  priest's  face. 

"  *  I'm  greatly  afraid,  Mickey,  he  was  a  bad  man,  a  very 
bad  man.' 


MICKEY   FREE.  83 

*'  *  And  ye  think  he'll  go  there  ? '  says  L 

" '  Indeed,  Mickey,  I  have  my  fears.' 

" '  Upon  my  conscience,'  says  I,  '  I  believe  you're  right; 
he  was  always  a  restless  crayture.' 

"'But  it  doesn't  depind  on  him,'  says  the  priest, 
crossly. 

"  '  And,  then,  who  then  ?  '  says  L 

" '  Upon  yourself,  Mickey  Free,'  says  he ;  '  God  pardon 
you  for  it,  too.' 

"  '  Upon  me  ?  *  says  I. 

** '  Troth,  no  less,'  says  he  ;  '  how  many  masses  was  said 
for  your  father's  soul  ? — how  many  aves  ? — how  many 
paters  ? — answer  me.' 

"  '  Devil  a  one  of  me  knows ! — maybe  twenty.' 

u  *  Twenty,  twenty — no,  nor  one.' 

" '  And  why  not,'  says  I ;  '  what  for  wouldn't  you  be 
helping  a  poor  crayture  out  of  trouble,  when  it  wouldn't 
cost  you  more  nor  a  handful  of  prayers  ?  ' 

"  Mickey,  I  see,'  says  he,  in  a  solemn  tone,  'you're  worse 
nor  a  haythen :  but  ye  couldn't  be  other ;  ye  never  come  to 
yer  duties.' 

"  '  Well,  father,'  says  I,  looking  very  penitent,  'how  many 
masses  would  get  him  out?  ' 

"  '  Now  you  talk  like  a  sensible  man,'  says  he.  '  Now, 
Mickey,  I've  hopes  for  you.  Let  me  see  ' — here  he  went 
co^.titin'  upon  his  fingers,  and  numberin'  to  himself  for  five 
minutes — '  Mickey,'  says  he,  '  I've  a  batch  coming  out  on 
Tuesday  week,  and  if  you  were  to  make  great  exertions, 
perhaps  your  father  could  come  with  them ;  that  is,  av  they 
have  made  no  objections.' 

"  '  And  what  for  would  they  ?  '  says  I ;  '  he  was  always 
the  hoith  of  company,  and  av  singing's  allowed  in  them 
parts ' 

"  '  God  forgive  you,  Mickey,  but  yer  in  a  benighted  state,' 
says  he,  sighing. 

" '  Well,'  says  I, '  how'll  we  get  him  out  on  Tuesday 
week?  for  that's  bringing  things  to  a  focus.' 

" '  Two  masses  in  the  morning,  fastia','  says  Father 
Roach,  half  aloud,  '  is  two,  and  two  in  the  afternoon  is 
four,  and  two  at  vespers  is  six,'  says  he ;  '  six  masses  a 
day  for  nine  days  is  close  by  sixty  masses — say  sixty,'  says 
he;  'and  they'll  cost  you — mind,  Mickey,  and  don't  be 


84  CHARLES  O'MALLBY. 

telling  it  again,  for  it  is  only  to  yourself  I'd  make  them  to 
cheap — a  matter  of  three  pounds.' 

"  *  Three  pounds ! '  says  I ;  '  be-gorra  ye  might  as  well 
ax  me  to  give  you  the  rock  of  Cashel.' 

"  '  I'm  sorry  for  ye,  Mickey,'  says  he,  gatherin'  up  the 
reins  to  ride  off — '  I'm  sorry  for  ye  ;  and  the  time  will  come 
when  the  neglect  of  your  poor  father  will  be  a  sore  stroke 
agin  yourself' 

"  '  Wait  a  bit,  your  reverence,'  says  I — '  wait  a  bit. 
Would  forty  shillings  get  him  out  ?  ' 

"  *  Av  course  it  wouldn't,'  says  he. 

" '  Maybe,'  says  I,  coaxing — '  maybe,  av  you  said  that  his 
son  was  a  poor  boy  that  lived  by  his  indhustry,  and  the 
times  was  bad ' 

" '  Not  the  least  use,'  says  he. 

" '  Arrah,  but  its  hard-hearted  they  are,*  thinks  I. 
1  Well,  see  now,  I'll  give  you  the  money,  but  I  can't 
afford  it  all  at  on'st ;  but  111  pay  five  shillings  a  week — will 
that  do  ? ' 

" '  I'll  do  my  endayvours,'  says  Father  Roach  ;  '  and 
I'll  speak  to  them  to  treat  him  peaceably  in  the  meantime.' 

" '  Long  life  to  yer  reverence,  and  do.  Well,  here  now, 
here's  five  hogs  to  begin  with ;  and,  musha,  but  I  never 
thought  I'd  be  spending  my  loose  change  that  way.' 

"  Father  Roach  put  the  six  tinpinnies  in  the  pocket  of 
his  black  leather  breeches,  said  something  in  Latin,  bid  me 
good  morning,  and  rode  off. 

"  Well,  to  make  my  story  short,  I  worked  late  and 
early  to  pay  the  five  shillings  a  week,  and  I  did  do  it 
for  three  weeks  regular ;  then  I  brought  four  and  four- 
pence — then  it  came  down  to  one  and  tenpence  halfpenny 
— then  ninepence — and,  at  last,  I  had  nothing  at  all  to 
bring. 

"  '  Mickey  Free,'  says  the  priest,  '  ye  must  stir  your- 
self ;  your  father  is  mighty  dibpleased  at  the  way  you'v* 
been  doing  of  late ;  and  av  ye  kept  yer  word,  he'd  be  neat- 
out  by  this  time.' 

"  '  Troth,'  says  I,  '  it's  a  very  expensive  place.' 

*'  *  By  coorse  it  is,'  says  he  ;  *  sure  all  the  quality  of  the 
land's  there.  But,  Mickey,  my  man,  with  a  little  exertion, 
your  father's  business  is  done.  What  are  you  jingling  in 
your  pocket  there  ?  ' 


MICKEY    FREE.  85 

0  *  It's  ten  shillings,  your  reverence,  I  have  to  buy  seed 
potatoes.' 

" '  Hand  it  here,  my  son.  Isn't  it  better  your  father 
would  be  enjoying  himself  in  Paradise,  than  if  ye  were  to 
have  all  the  potatoes  in  Ireland  ?  ' 

" '  And  how  do  ye  know,'  says  I,  '  he's  so  near  out  ?  ' 

" '  How  do  I  know — how  do  I  know,'  is  it  ? — didn't  J 
see  him.' 

"  *  See  him  !     Tear  an  ages,  was  you  down  there  again.' 

"  '  I  was,'  says  he  ;  '  I  was  down  there  for  three-quarters 
of  an  hour  yesterday  evening,  getting  out  Luke  Kennedy's 
mother.  Decent  people  the  Kennedys — never  spared  ex- 
pense.' 

" '  And  ye  seen  my  father  ?  '  says  I. 

"  I  did,'  says  he ;  'he  had  an  ould  flannel  waistcoat  on, 
and  a  pipe  sticking  out  of  the  pocket  av  it.' 

"  '  That's  him,'  says  I.     '  Had  he  a  hairy  cap  ?  ' 

" '  I  didn't  mind  the  cap,'  says  he,  '  but  av  coorse  he 
wouldn't  have  it  on  his  head  in  that  place.' 

"  '  Thrue  for  you,'  says  I.     '  Did  he  speak  to  you  ? ' 

" '  He  did,'  says  Father  Roach  ;  '  he  spoke  very  hard 
about  the  way  he  was  treated  down  there,  that  they  was 
always  jibin'  and  jeerin'  him  about  drink,  and  fightiu', 
and  the  course  he  led  up  here,  and  that  it  was  a  queer 
thing,  for  the  matter  of  ten  shillings,  he  was  to  be  kept 
there  so  long.' 

'* '  Well,'  says  I,  taking  out  the  ten  shillings  and  counting 
it  with  one  hand,  '  we  must  do  our  best,  anyhow  ;  and  ye 
think  this'll  get  him  out  surely  ?  ' 

"'I  know  it  will,'  says  he;  'for  when  Luke's  mother 
was  leaving  the  place,  and  yer  father  saw  the  door  open, 
he  made  a  rush  at  it,  and,  be-gorra,  before  it  was  shut  he 
got  his  head  and  one  shoulder  outside  av  it,  so  that,  ye  see, 
a  thrifle  more'll  do  it.' 

" '  Faix,  and  yer  reverence,'  says  I,  '  you've  lightened  my 
heart  this  morning.'  And  I  put  my  money  back  again  in 
my  pocket. 

"  '  Why,  what  do  you  mean  ? '  says  he,  growing  very 
reel,  for  he  was  angry. 

*' '  Just  this,'  says  I,  '  that  I've  saved  my  money ;  for  av 
it  was  my  father  yon  seen,  and  that  he  got  his  head  and 
one  shoulder  outside  the  door,  oh,  then,  by  the  powers  I ' 


86  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

says  I,  '  the  devil  a  gaol  or  gaoler  from  hell  to  Connaught 
id  hould  him  ;  so,  Father  Roach,  I  wish  you  the  top  of  the 
morning.'  And  I  went  away  laughing ;  and  from  that 
day  to  this  I  never  heard  more  of  purgathory ;  and  ye  see, 
Master  Charles,  I  think  I  was  right." 

Scarcely  had  Mike  concluded  when  my  door  was  sud- 
denly burst  open,  and  Sir  Harry  Boyle,  without  assuming 
any  of  his  usual  precautions  respecting  silence  and  quiet, 
rushed  into  the  room,  a  broad  grin  upon  his  honest  features, 
and  his  eyes  twinkling  in  a  way  that  evidently  showed  me 
something  had  occurred  to  amuse  him. 

"  By  Jove,  Charley,  I  mustn't  keep  it  from  yon,  it's  too 
good  a  thing  not  to  tell  you  ;  do  you  remember  that  very 
essenced  young  gentleman  who  accompanied  Sir  George 
Dashwood  from  Dublin,  as  a  kind  of  electioneering  friend  ?  " 

"  Do  you  mean  Mr.  Prettyman  ?  " 

*'  The  very  man ;  he  was,  you  are  aware,  an  under- 
secretary in  some  government  department.  Well,  it 
seems  that  he  had  come  down  among  us  poor  savages 
as  much  from  motives  of  learned  research  and  scientific 
inquiry,  as  though  we  had  been  South  Sea  Islanders ; 
report  had  gifted  us  humble  Galwayaus  with  some  very 
peculiar  traits,  and  this  gifted  individual  resolved  to  record 
them.  W  hether  the  election  week  might  have  sufficed  his 
appetite  for  wonders  I  know  not,  but  he  was  peaceably 
taking  his  departure  from  the  west  on  Saturday  last,  when 
Phil  Macnamara  met  him,  and  pressed  him  to  dine  that 
day  with  a  few  friends  at  his  house.  You  know  Phil ;  so 
that  when  I  tell  you  Sam  Burke,  of  Greenmount,  and 
Roger  Doolan  were  of  the  party,  I  need  not  say  that  the 
English  traveller  was  not  left  to  his  own  unassisted  ima- 
gination for  his  facts;  such  anecdotes  of  our  habits  and 
customs  as  they  crammed  him  with,  it  would  appear, 
never  were  heard  before — nothing  was  too  hot  or  too 
heavy  for  the  luckless  Cockney,  who,  when  not  sipping 
his  claret,  was  faithfully  recording  in  his  tablet  the  mems. 
for  a  very  brilliant  and  very  original  work  on  Ireland. 

"'Fine  country — splendid  country — glorious  people — 
gifted— brave — intelligent — but  not  happy — alas!  Mr. 
Macnamara,  not  happy.  But  we  don't  know  you,  gentle- 
men— we  don't,  indeed,  at  the  other  side  of  the  Channel ; 
our  notions  regarding  you  are  far,  very  far  from  just.' 


MICKEY   FREE.  87 

a<I  hope  and  trust,'  said  old  Burke,  *  you'll  help  them 
to  a  better  understanding  ere  long.' 

"  *  Such,  my  dear  sir,  will  be  the  proudest  task  of  my 
life.  The  facts  I  have  heard  here  this  evening  have  made 
BO  profound  an  impression  upon  me,  that  I  burn  for  the 
moment  when  I  can  make  them  known  to  the  world  at 
large.  To  think — just  to  think,  that  a  portion  of  this 
beautiful  island  should  be  steeped  in  poverty — that  the 
people  not  only  live  upon  the  mere  potatoes,  but  are  abso- 
lutely obliged  to  wear  the  skins  for  raiment,  as  Mr.  Doolan 
has  just  mentioned  to  me.' 

"  '  Which  accounts  for  our  cultivation  of  lumpers,'  added 
Mr.  Doolan,  '  they  bring  the  largest  species  of  the  root,  and 
best  adapted  for  wearing  apparel.' 

"  '  I  should  deem  myself  culpable,  indeed  I  should,  did 
I  not  inform  my  countrymen  upon  the  real  condition  of 
this  great  country.' 

"  '  Why,  after  your  great  opportunities  for  judging,'  said 
Phil,  'you  ought  to  speak  out.  You've  seen  us  in  a  way, 
I  may  fairly  affirm,  few  Englishmen  have,  and  heard 
more.' 

"'That's  it  —  that's  the  very  thing,  Mr.  Macnamara. 
I've  looked  at  you  more  closely,  I've  watched  you  more 
narrowly,  I  have  witnessed  what  the  French  call  your  vie 
intime.' 

"  '  Begad  yon  have,'  said  Old  Burke,  with  a  grin,  *  and 
profited  by  it  to  the  utmost.' 

"  '  I've  been  a  spectator  of  your  election  contests — I've 
partaken  of  your  hospitality — I've  witnessed  your  popular 
and  natural  sports — I've  been  present  at  your  weddings, 
your  fairs,  your  wakes  ;  but  no,  I  was  forgetting,  I  never 
saw  a  wake.' 

"  '  Never  saw  a  wake  ?  *  repeated  each  of  the  company 
in  turn,  as  though  the  gentleman  was  uttering  a  sentiment 
of  very  dubious  veracity. 

"' IS  ever,'  said  Mr.  Prettyman,  rather  abashed  at  this 
proof  of  his  incapacity  to  instruct  his  English  friends 
upon  all  matters  of  Irish  interest. 

"  *  Well,  then,'  said  Macnamara,  '  with  a  blessing,  we'll 
show  you  one.  Lord  forbid  that  we  shouldn't  do  the 
honours  of  our  poor  country  to  an  intellijrent  foreigner 
when  he's  good  enough  to  come  amongst  us.' 


88  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

" '  Peter,'  said  he,  turning  to  the  servant  behind  him, 
*  who's  dead  hereabouts  ?  ' 

"  '  Sorra  one,  yer  honour.  Since  the  scrimmage  at  Por- 
tumna  the  place  is  peaceable.* 

"  *  Who  died  lately  in  the  neighbourhood  ?  ' 

**  *  The  widow  Macbride,  yer  honour.' 

**' Couldn't  they  take  her  up  again,  Peter?  My  friend 
here  never  saw  a  wake.' 

•* '  I'm  afeerd  not,  for  it  was  the  boys  roasted  her,  and 
she  wouldn't  be  a  decent  corpse  for  to  show  a  stranger,' 
said  Peter,  in  a  whisper. 

"  Mr.  Prettyman  shuddered  at  these  peaceful  indications 
of  the  neighbourhood,  and  said  nothing. 

" '  Well,  then,  Peter,  tell  Jemmy  Divine  to  take  the  old 
musket  in  my  bedroom,  atid  go  over  to  the  Clunagh  bog- 
he  cau't  go  wrong — there's  twelve  families  there  that 
never  pay  a  halfpenny  rent,  and  when  it's  done,  let  him 
give  notice  to  the  neighbourhood,  and  we'll  have  a  rousing 
wake.' 

" '  You  don't  mean,  Mr.  Macnamara — you  don't  mean 

to  say ,'  stammered  out  the  Cockney,  with  a  face  like 

a  ghost. 

"  *  I  only  mean  to  say,'  said  Phil,  laughing,  *  that  you're 
keeping  the  decanter  very  long  at  your  right  hand.* 

"  Burke  contrived  to  interpose  before  the  Englishman 
could  ask  any  explanation  of  what  he  had  just  heard — and 
for  some  minutes  he  could  only  wait  in  impatient  anxiety 
— when  a  loud  report  of  a  gun  close  beside  the  house 
attracted  the  attention  of  the  guests ;  the  next  moment  old 
Peter  entered,  his  face  radiant  with  smiles. 

" '  Well,  what's  that  ?  *  said  Macnamara. 

«  « "JVas  Jimmy,  yer  honour.  As  the  evening  was  rainy, 
he  said  he'd  take  one  of  the  neighbours,  and  he  hadn't  to 
go  far,  for  Andy  Moore  was  going  home,  and  he  brought 
him  down  at  once.' 

" '  Did  he  shoot  him  ? '  said  Mr.  Prettyman,  while  cold 
perspiration  broke  over  his  forehead.  *  Did  he  murder  the 
man?' 

"  *  Sorra  murder,'  said  Peter,  disdainfully ;  '  but  why 
wouldn't  he  shoot  him  when  the  master  bid  him  ?  * 

"  I  needn't  tell  you  more,  Charley ;  but  in  ten  minutes 
after,  feigning  some  excuse  to  leave  the  room,  the  terrified 


MICKEY   FREE.  89 

a 


Cockney  took  flight,  and,  offering  twenty  guineas  for  » 
horse  to  convey  him  to  Athlone,  he  left  Galway,  fully 
convinced  '  that  they  don't  yet  know  us  on  the  other  side 
of  the  Channel."* 


CHAPTER  XTII. 

THE  JOURNEY. 

THE  election  concluded — the  turmoil  and  excitement  of  the 
contest  over — all  was  fast  resuming  its  accustomed  routine 
around  us,  when  one  morning  my  uncle  informed  me  that 
I  was  at  length  to  leave  my  native  county,  and  enter  upon 
the  great  world  as  a  student  of  Trinity  College,  Dublin. 
Although  long  since  in  expectation  of  this  eventful  change, 
it  was  with  no  slight  feeling  of  emotion  I  contemplated 
the  step,  which,  removing  me  at  once  from  all  my  early 
friends  and  associations,  was  to  surround  me  with  new 
companions  and  new  influences,  and  place  before  me  very 
different  objects  of  ambition  from  those  I  had  hitherto  been 
regarding. 

My  destiny  had  been  long  ago  decided ;  the  army  had 
had  its  share  of  the  family,  who  brought  little  more  back 
with  them  from  the  wars  than  a  short  allowance  of  mem- 
bers and  shattered  constitutions  ;  the  navy  had  proved,  on 
more  than  one  occasion,  that  the  fate  of  the  O'Malleys  did 
not  incline  to  hanging ;  so  that,  in  Irish  estimation,  but 
one  alternative  remained,  and  that  was  the  bar.  Besides, 
as  my  uncle  remarked,  with  great  truth  and  foresight, 
"Charley  will  be  tolerably  independent  of  the  public, at 
all  events ;  for,  even  if  they  never  send  him  a  brief,  there's 
law  enough  in  the  family  to  last  his  time  * — a  rather  novel 
reason,  by  the  bye,  for  making  a  man  a  lawyer,  and  which 
induced  Sir  Harry,  with  his  usual  clearness,  to  observe 
to  me, — 


90  CHARLES  O'MALLBT. 

"  Upon  my  conscience,  boy,  you  are  in  luck.  If  there 
had  been  a  Bible  in  the  house,  I  firmly  believe  he'd  have 
made  you  a  parson." 

Considine  alone,  of  all  my  uncle's  advisers,  did  not 
concur  in  this  determination  respecting  me.  He  set  forth, 
with  an  eloquence  that  certainly  converted  me,  that  my 
head  was  better  calculated  for  bearing  hard  knocks  than 
unravelling  knotty  points ;  that  a  shako  would  become  it 
infinitely  better  than  a  wig ;  and  declared,  roundly,  that  a 
boy  who  began  so  well,  and  had  such  very  pretty  notions 
about  shooting,  was  positively  thrown  away  in  the  Four 
Courts.  My  uncle,  however,  was  firm,  and,  as  old  Sir 
Harry  supported  him,  the  day  was  decided  against  us, 
Considine  murmuring,  as  he  left  the  room,  something  that 
did  not  seem  quite  a  brilliant  anticipation  of  the  success 
awaiting  me  in  my  legal  career.  As  fqr  myself,  though 
only  a  silent  spectator  of  the  debate,  all  my  wishes  were 
with  the  Count.  From  my  earliest  boyhood  a  military 
life  had  been  my  strongest  desire ;  the  roll  of  the  drum, 
and  the  shrill  pipe  that  played  through  the  little  village, 
with  its  ragged  troop  of  recruits  following,  had  charms  for 
me  I  cannot  describe ;  and  bad  a  choice  been  allowed  me,  I 
would  infinitely  rather  have  been  a  sergeant  in  the  dragoons 
than  one  of  his  Majesty's  learned  in  the  law.  If,  then, 
such  had  been  the  cherished  feeling  of  many  a  year,  how 
much  more  strongly  were  my  aspirations  heightened  by 
the  events  of  the  last  few  days.  The  tone  of  superiority  I 
had  witnessed  in  Hammersley,  whose  conduct  to  me  at 
parting  had  placed  him  high  in  my  esteem — the  quiet 
contempt  of  civilians,  implied  in  a  thousand  sly  ways — 
the  exalted  estimate  of  his  own  profession,  at  once  wounded 
my  pride  and  stimulated  my  ambition ;  and,  lastly,  more 
than  all,  the  avowed  preference  that  Lucy  Dashwood 
evinced  for  a  military  life,  were  stronger  allies  than  my 
own  conviction  needed  to  make  me  long  for  the  army.  So 
completely  did  the  thought  possess  me,  that  I  felt,  if  I 
were  not  a  soldier,  I  cared  not  what  became  of  me.  Life 
had  no  other  object  of  ambition  for  me  than  military  re- 
nown, no  other  success  for  which  I  cared  to  struggle,  or 
would  value  when  obtained.  "  Aut  Caesar,  out  nullus," 
thought  I ;  and  when  my  uncle  determined  I  should  be  a 
lawyer,  I  neither  murmured  nor  objected,  but  hugged 


THE   JOURNEY.  91 

myself  im  the  prophecy  of  Considine,  that  hinted  pretty 
broadly,  "  the  devil  a  stupider  fellow  ever  opened  a  brief; 
but  he'd  have  made  a  slashing  light  dragoon." 

The  preliminaries  were  not  long  in  arranging.  It  was 
settled  that  I  should  be  immediately  despatched  to  Dublin 
to  the  care  of  Doctor  Mooney,  then  a  junior  fellow  in  the 
University,  who  would  take  me  into  his  especial  charge  ; 
while  Sir  Harry  was  to  furnish  me  with  a  letter  to  his 
old  friend,  Doctor  Barret,  who;e  advice  and  assistance 
he  estimated  at  a  very  high  price.  Provided  with  such 
documents,  I  was  informed  that  the  gates  of  knowledge 
were  more  than  half  ajar  for  rne,  without  an  effort  upon 
my  part.  One  only  portion  of  all  the  arrangements  I 
heard  with  anything  like  pleasure ;  it  was  decided  that  my 
man  Mickey  was  to  accompany  me  to  Dublin,  and  remain 
with  me  during  my  stay. 

It  was  upon  a  clear,  sharp  morning  in  January,  of  the 
year  18 — ,  that  I  took  my  place  upon  the  box-seat  of  the 
old  Galway  mail,  and  set  out  on  my  journey.  My  heart 
was  depressed  and  my  spirits  were  miserably  low.  I  had 
all  that  feeling  of  sadness  which  leave-taking  inspires,  and 
no  sustaining  prospect  to  cheer  me  in  the  distance.  For 
the  first  time  in  my  life,  I  had  seen  a  tear  glisten  in  my 
poor  uncle's  eye,  and  heard  his  voice  falter  as  he  said, 
"  Farewell !  "  Notwithstanding  the  difference  of  age,  we 
had  been  perfectly  companions  together ;  and,  as  I  thought 
now  over  all  the  thousand  kindnesses  and  affectionate 
instances  of  his  love  I  had  received,  my  heart  gave  way, 
and  the  tears  coursed  slowly  down  my  cheeks.  I  turned 
to  give  one  last  look  at  the  tall  chimneys  and  the  old 
woods,  my  earliest  friends ;  but  a  turn  of  the  road  had  shut 
out  the  prospect,  and  thus  I  took  my  leave  of  Galway. 

My  friend  Mickey,  who  sat  behind  with  the  guard, 
participated  but  little  in  my  feelings  of  regret.  The  pota- 
toes in  the  metropolis  could  scarcely  be  as  wet  as  the 
lumpers  in  Scariff;  he  had  heard  that  whisky  was  not 
dearer,  and  looked  forward  to  the  other  delights  of  the 
capital  with  a  longing  heart.  Meanwhile,  resolved  that  no 
portion  of  his  career  should  be  lost,  he  was  lightening  the 
road  by  anecdote  and  song,  and  held  an  audience  of  four 
people,  a  very  crusty-looking  old  guard  included,  in  roars 
of  laughter.  Mike  had  contrived,  with  his  usual  savoir 


92  CHARLES  O'MALLEY 

faire,  to  make  himself  very  agreeable  to  an  extremely 
pretty-looking  country  girl,  around  whose  waist  he  had 
most  lovingly  passed  his  arm,  under  pretence  of  keeping 
her  from  falling,  and  to  whom,  in  the  midst  of  all  his 
attentions  to  the  party  at  large,  he  devoted  himself  con- 
siderably, pressing  his  suit  with  all  the  aid  of  his  native 
minstrelsy. 

"  Hould  me  tight,  Miss  Matilda,  dear.** 

*'  My  name's  Mary  Brady,  av  ye  plase." 

"  Ay,  and  I  do  plase. 

"  Oh,  Mary  Brady,  you  are  my  darlin', 
You  are  my  looking-glass,  from  night  till  morning  ; 
I'd  rnyther  have  ye  without  one  farthen, 
Nor  Shusey  Gallagher  and  her  house  and  garden. 

May  I  never  av  I  wouldn't,  then;  and  ye  needn't  be 
laughing." 

"  Is  his  honour  at  home? " 

This  speech  was  addressed  to  a  gaping  country  fellow, 
that  leaned  on  his  spade  to  see  the  coach  pass. 

"  Is  his  honour  at  home  ?  I've  something  for  him  from 
Mr.  Davern." 

Mickey  well  knew  that  few  western  gentlemen  were 
without  constant  intercourse  with  the  Athlone  attorney. 
The  poor  countryman  accordingly  hastened  through  the 
fence,  and  pursued  the  coach  with  all  speed  for  above  a 
mile,  Mike  pretending  all  the  time  to  be  in  the  greatest 
anxiety  for  his  overtaking  them  ;  until  at  last,  as  he  stopped 
in  despair,  a  hearty  roar  of  laughter  told  him  that,  in 
Mickey's  parlance,  he  was  "  sould." 

"  Taste  it,  my  dear ;  devil  a  harm  it'll  do  ye  ;  it  never 
paid  the  king  sixpence." 

Here  he  filled  a  little  horn  vessel  from  a  black  bottle  he 
carried,  accompanying  tV-  action  with  a  song,  the  air  to 
which,  if  any  of  my  reat.,  rs  feel  disposed  to  sing  it,  I  may 
observe  bore  a  resemblance  to  the  well-known  "  A  Fig  fo* 
St.  Den/s  of  France." 

"POTTEEN,   GOOD  LUCK  TO  YB,   DEAR. 

*'  Av  I  was  a  monarch  in  state, 

Like  Romulus  or  Julius  Caysar, 
With  the  best  of  fine  victuals  to  eat, 
And  drink  like  great  JSebuchadnezar, 


THE   JOUENEY.  93 

A  rasher  of  bacon  I'd  have, 

And  potatoes  the  finest  was  seen,  sir ; 

And  for  drink,  it's  no  claret  I'd  crave, 
But  a  keg  of  ould  Mullens'  pot  teen,  sir. 

With  the  smell  of  the  smoke  on  it  st'JL 

1  They  talk  of  the  Romans  of  ould, 

Whom  they  say  in  their  own  times  was  frisky  ; 
But  trust  me,  to  keep  out  the  cowld, 

The  Romans  at  home  here  like  whisky. 
Sure  it  warms  both  the  head  and  the  heart, 

It's  the  soul  of  all  readin'  and  writin' ; 
It  teaches  both  science  and  art, 

And  disposes  for  love  or  for  fightin'. 

Oh,  potteen,  good  lack  to  ye,  dear.' 

This  very  classic  production,  and  the  black  bottle  which 
accompanied  it,  completely  established  the  singer's  pro- 
eminence  in  the  company ;  and  I  heard  sundry  sounds 
resembling  drinking,  with  frequent  good  wishes  to  the 
provider  of  the  feast.  "  Long  life  to  ye,  Mr.  Free," 
"  Your  health  and  inclinations,  Mr.  Free,"  &c. ;  to  which 
Mr.  Free  responded  by  drinking  those  of  the  company, 
"  av  they  were  vartuous."  The  amicable  relations  thus 
happily  established,  promised  a  very  lasting  reign,  and 
would,  doubtless,  have  enjoyed  such,  had  not  a  slight 
incident  occurred,  which  for  a  brief  season  interrupted 
them.  At  the  village  where  we  stopped  to  breakfast, 
three  very  venerable  figures  presented  themselves  for 
places  in  the  inside  of  the  coach :  they  were  habited  in 
black  coats,  breeches,  and  gaiters,  wore  hats  of  a  very 
ecclesiastic  breadth  in  their  brim,  and  had  altogether  the 
peculiar  air  and  bearing  which  distinguishes  their  calling, 
being  no  less  than  three  Roman  Catholic  prelates  on  their 
way  to  Dublin  to  attend  a  convocation.  While  Mickey 
and  his  friends,  with  the  ready  tact  which  every  low 
Irishman  possesses,  immediately  perceived  who  and  what 
these  worshipful  individuals  were,  another  traveller,  who 
had  just  assumed  his  place  on  tha  outside,  participated  but 
little  in  the  feelings  of  reverence  so  manifestly  displayed, 
but  gave  a  sneer  of  a  very  ominous  kind,  as  the  skirt  of 
the  last  black  coat  disappeared  within  the  coach.  This 
latter  individual  was  a  short,  thick-set,  bandy-legged  man, 
of  about  fifty,  with  an  enormous  nose,  which,  whatever  its 


94  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

habitual  colouring,  on  the  morning  in  question  was  of  a 
brilliant  purple.  He  wore  a  blue  coat,  with  bright 
buttons  upon  which  some  letters  were  inscribed,  an.d 
around  his  neck  was  fastened  a  ribbon  of  the  samfr 
colour,  to  which  a  medal  was  attached.  This  he  displayed 
with  something  of  ostentation,  whenever  an  opportunity 
occurred,  and  seemed  altogether  a  person  who  possessed 
a  most  satisfactory  impression  of  his  own  importance.  In 
fact,  had  not  this  feeling  been  participated  in  by  others, 
Mr.  Billy  Crow  would  never  have  been  deputed  by  No. 
13,476  to  carry  their  warrant  down  to  the  west  country, 
and  establish  the  nucleus  of  an  Orange  Lodge  in  the  town 
of  Foxleigh ;  such  being,  in  brief,  the  reason  why,  he,  a 
very  well-known  manufacturer  of  "  leather  continuations  " 
in  Dublin,  had  ventured  upon  the  perilous  journey  from 
which  he  was  now  returning.  Billy  was  going  on  his 
way  to  town  rejoicing,  for  he  had  had  most  brilliant  suc- 
cess ;  the  brethren  had  feasted  and  feted  him ;  he  had  made 
several  splendid  orations,  with  the  usual  number  of  pro- 
phecies about  the  speedy  downfall  of  Romanism ;  the 
inevitable  return  of  Protestant  ascendancy;  the  pleasing 
prospect  that,  with  increased  effort  and  improved  organi- 
zation, they  should  soon  be  able  to  have  everything  their 
own  way,  and  clear  the  Green  Isle  of  the  horrible  vermin 
St.  Patrick  forgot  when  banishing  the  others;  and  that, 
if  Daniel  O'Connell  (whom  might  the  Lord  confound  !) 
could  only  be  hanged,  and  Sir  Harcourt  Lees  made 
Primate  of  all  Ireland,  there  were  still  some  hopes  of 
peace  and  prosperity  to  the  country. 

Mr.  Crow  had  no  sooner  assumed  his  place  upon  the 
coach  than  he  saw  that  he  was  in  the  camp  of  the  enemy. 
Happily  for  all  parties,  indeed,  in  Ireland,  political 
differences  have  so  completely  stamped  the  externals  of 
each  party,  that  he  must  be  a  man  of  small  penetration 
who  cannot,  in  the  first  five  minutes  he  is  thrown  among 
strangers,  calculate  with  considerable  certainty,  whether 
it  will  be  more  conducive  to  his  happiness  to  sing  "  Crop- 
pies Lie  Dow  j,"  or  "  The  Battle  of  Ross."  As  for  Billy 
Crow,  long  life  to  him  !  yon  might  as  well  attempt  to 
pass  a  turkey  upon  M.  Audubon  for  a  giraffe,  as  endeavour 
to  impose  a  Papist  upon  him  for  a  true  follower  of  King 
William.  He  could  have  given  you  more  generic  distinc- 


THE   JOURNEY.  95 

tions  to  guide  yon  in  the  decision,  than  ever  did  Cuvier  to 
designate  an  antediluvian  mammoth  ;  so  that  no  sooner 
had  he  seated  himself  upon  the  coach,  than  he  buttoned 
up  his  greatcoat,  stuck  his  hands  firmly  in  his  side- 
pockets,  pursed  up  his  lips,  and  looked  altogether  like  a 
man  that,  feeling  himself  out  of  his  element,  resolves  to 
•*  bide  his  time  "  in  patience,  until  chance  may  throw  him 
among  more  congenial  associates.  Mickey  Free,  who  was 
himself  no  mean  proficient  in  reading  a  character,  at  one 
glance  saw  his  man,  and  began  hammering  his  brains  to 
see  if  he  could  not  overreach  him.  The  small  port- 
manteau which  contained  Billy's  wardrobe  bore  the  con- 
spicuous announcement  of  his  name  ;  and,  as  Micky  could 
read,  this  was  one  important  step  already  gained. 

He  accordingly  took  the  first  opportunity  of  seating 
himself  beside  him,  and  opened  the  conversation  by  some 
very  polite  observation  upon  the  other's  wearing  apparel, 
which  is  always,  in  the  west,  considered  a  piece  of  very 
courteous  attention.  By  degrees  the  dialogue  prospered, 
and  Mickey  began  to  make  some  very  important  revela- 
tions about  himself  and  his  master,  intimating  that  the 
"  state  of  the  country  "  was  such  that  a  man  of  his  way 
of  thinking  had  no  peace  or  quiet  in  it. 

"  That's  him  there,  forenent  ye,"  said  Mickey,  "  and  a 
better  Protestant  never  hated  mass.  Ye  understand." 

"  What ! "  said  Billy,  unbuttoning  the  collar  of  his 
coat  to  get  a  fairer  view  at  his  companion ;  "  why,  I 
thought  you  were " 

Here  he  made  some  resemblance  of  the  usual  manner  of 
blessing  oness*  elf. 

"  Me,  devil  a  more  nor  yourself,  Mr.  Crow." 

"  Why,  do  yon  know  me,  too  ?  " 

"  Troth,  more  knows  you  than  you  think.'* 

Billy  looked  very  much  puzzled  at  all  this;  at  last 
he  said, — 

"  And  ye  tell  me  that  your  master  there's  the  right 
sort?" 

"  Thrue  blue,"  said  Mike,  with  a  wink,  "  and  so  ia 
his  uncles." 

"  And  where  are  they,  when  they  are  at  home  ?  " 

"  In  Galway,  no  less ;  but  they're  here  now." 

"Where?" 


96  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

"  Here.ff 

At  these  words  he  gave  a  knock  of  his  heel  to  the 
coach,  as  if  to  intimate  their  "  whereabouts." 

"  You  don't  mean  in  the  coach — do  ye  ?  " 

"  To  be  sure  I  do ;  and  troth,  you  can't  know  much  of 
the  west,  av  ye  don't  know  the  three  Mr.  Trenches  of 
Tallybash !  them's  they." 

"  You  don't  say  so?" 

"  Faix,  but  I  do." 

"  May  I  never  drink  the  12th  of  July  if  I  didn't  think 
they  were  priests." 

"  Priests  1"  said  Mickey,  in  a  roar  of  laughter— 
"  priests ! " 

'*  Just  priests." 

"  Be-gorra,  though,  ye  had  better  keep  that  to  yourself, 
for  they're  not  the  men  to  have  that  same  said  to  them." 

"  Of  course,  I  wouldn't  offend  them,"  said  Mr.  Crow; 
"  faith,  it's  uot  me  would  cast  reflections  upon  such  real 
ont-'and-outers  as  they  are.  And  where  are  they  going1 
now?" 

"  To  Dublin  straight ;  there's  to  be  a  grand  lodge  next 
week ;  but  sure  Mr.  Crow  knows  better  than  me." 

Billy  after  this  became  silent.  A  moody  reveri*  seemed 
to  steal  over  him,  and  he  was  evidently  displeased  with 
himself  for  his  want  of  tact  in  not  discovering  the  three 
Mr.  Trenches  of  Tallybash,  though  he  only  caught  sight 
of  their  backs. 

Mickey  Free  interrupted  not  the  frame  of  mind  ia 
which  he  saw  conviction  was  slowly  working  its  way,  but, 
by  gently  humming  in  an  under  tone  the  loyal  melody  of 
"  Croppies  Lie  Down,"  fanned  the  flame  he  had  so  dexter- 
ously kindled.  At  length,  they  reached  the  small  town  of 
Kinnegad.  While  the  coach  changed  horses,  Mr.  Crow 
lost  not  a  moment  in  descending  from  the  top,  and,  rush- 
ing into  the  little  inn,  disappeared  for  a  few  moments. 
When  he  again  issued  forth,  he  carried  a  smoking  tumbler 
of  whisky  punch,  which  he  continued  to  stir  with  a  spoon. 
As  he  approached  the  coach-door  he  tapped  gently  with 
his  knuckles,  upon  which  the  reverend  prelate  of  Ma- 
ronia,  or  Mesopotamia,  I  forget  which,  inquired  what  he 
wanted. 

"  I  ask  your  pardon,  gentlemen,"  said  Billy,  "  but  I 


THE  JOURNBY.  97 

thought  I'd  make  bold  to  ask  you  to  take  something  warm 
this  cold  day." 

"  Many  thanks,  my  good  friend ;  but  we  never  do,"  said 
a  bland  voice  fro'n  within. 

"  I  understand,"  said  Billy,  with  a  sly  wink ;  "  but 
there  are  circumstances  now  and  then — and  one  might  for 
the  honour  of  the  cause,  you  know.  Just  put  it  to  your 
lips,  won't  you  ?" 

"  Excuse  me,"  said  a  very  rosy-cheeked  little  prelato, 
u  but  nothing  stronger  than  water  — — " 

"  Botheration,"  thought  Billy,  as  he  regarded  the 
speaker's  nose.  "  But  I  thought,"  said  he,  aloud,  "  that 
you  would  not  refuse  this." 

Here  he  made  a  peculiar  manifestation  in  the  air,  which, 
whatever  respect  and  reverence  it  might  carry  to  the 
honest  brethren  of  13,476,  seemed  only  to  increase  the 
wonder  and  astonishment  of  the  bishops. 

"  What  does  he  mean  ?  "  said  one. 

"  Is  he  mad?"  said  another. 

*'  Tear  and  ages,"  said  Mr.  Crow,  getting  quite  impa- 
tient at  the  slowness  of  his  friends'  perception,  "  tear 
and  ages,  I'm  one  of  yourselves." 

*'  One  of  us,"  said  the  three  in  chorus — "  one  of  us?" 

"  Ay,  to  be  sure" — here  he  took  a  long  pull  at  the 
punch — "  to  be  sure  I  am ;  here's  '  No  surrender,'  your 
souls!  whoop" — a  loud  yell  accompanying  the  toast  as 
he  drank  it. 

"  Do  you  mean  to  insult  us  ? "  said  Father  P . 

"  Guard,  take  the  fellow." 

"  Are  we  to  be  outraged  in  this  manner  ? "  chorussed 
the  priests. 

"  •  July  the  1st,  in  Oldbridge  town,' "  sang  Billy,  "  and 
here  it  is,  '  The  glorious,  pious,  and  immortal  memory  of 
the  great  and  good——"' 

"  Guard  I     Where  is  the  guard?" 

"  '  And  good  King  William,  that  saved  ns  from  Po- 
pery  '  " 

"  Coachman  I — guard ! "  screamed  Father 

"  '  Brass  money ' " 

"  Policeman !  policeman !  "  shouted  the  priests. 

" '  Brasa  money  and  wooden  shoes ; '  devil  may  care 
who  hears  me,"  said  Billy,  who,  supposing  that  the  three 


98  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

Mr.  Trenches  were  skulking  the  avowal  of  their  prin- 
ciples, resolved  to  assert  the  pre-eminence  of  the  great 
cause  single-handed  and  alone. 

"  *  Here's  the  Pope  in  the  pillory,  and  the  devil  pelting 
him  with  priests.' " 

At  these  words  a  kick  from  behind  apprised  the  loyal 
champion  that  a  very  ragged  auditory,  who  for  some  time 
past  had  not  well  understood  the  gist  of  his  eloquence, 
had  at  length  comprehended  enough  to  be  angry.  Ce  n'est 
que  le  premier  pas  qui  coiite,  certainly,  in  an  Irish  row. 
"  The  merest  urchin  may  light  the  train ;  one  handful 
of  mud  often  ignites  a  shindy  that  ends  in  a  most  bloody 
battle."  And  here,  no  sooner  did  the  vis  a  tergo  impel 
Billy  forward  when  a  severe  rap  of  a  closed  fist  in  the  eye 
drove  him  back,  and  in  one  instant  he  became  the  centre 
to  a  periphery  of  kicks,  cuffs,  pullings,  and  haulings,  that 
left  the  poor  Deputy-Grand  not  only  orange,  but  blue. 

He  fought  manfully,  but  numbers  carried  the  day ;  and, 
when  the  coach  drove  off,  which  it  did  at  last  without  him, 
the  last  thing  visible  to  the  outsides  was  the  figure  of  Mr. 
Crow,  whose  hat,  minus  the  crown,  had  been  driven  over 
his  head  down  upon  his  neck,  where  it  remained  like  a 
dress  cravat,  buffeting  a  mob  of  ragged  vagabonds,  who 
had  so  completely  metamorphosed  the  unfortunate  man 
with  mud  and  bruises,  that  a  committee  of  the  grand  lodge 
might  actually  have  been  unable  to  identify  him. 

As  for  Mickey  and  his  friends  behind,  their  mirth  knew 
no  bounds ;  and,  except  the  respectable  insides,  there  was 
not  an  individual  about  the  coach  who  ceased  to  think  of 
and  laugh  at  the  incident  till  we  arrived  in  Dublin,  and 
drew  up  at  the  Hibernian,  in  Dawson  Street. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


No  sooner  had  I  arrived  in  Dublin  than  my  first  care  was 
to  present  myself  to  Dr.  Mooney  by  whom  I  was  received 
in  the  most  cordial  manner.  In  fact,  in  my  utter  ignorance 
of  such  persons,  I  had  imagined  a  College  fellow  to  be  a 
character  necessarily  severe  and  unbending ;  and,  as  the 
only  two  very  great  people  I  had  ever  seen  in  my  life 
were  the  Archbishop  of  Tnam,  and  the  Chief  Baron,  when 
on  circuit,  I  pictured  to  myself  that  a  University  fellow 
was,  in  all  probability,  a  cross  between  the  two,  and  feared 
him  accordingly. 

The  Doctor  read  over  my  uncle's  letter  attentively, 
invited  me  to  partake  of  his  breakfast,  and  then  entered 
upon  something  like  an  account  of  the  life  before  me,  for 
which  Sir  Harry  Boyle  had,  however,  in  some  degree  pre- 
pared me. 

"  Your  uncle,  I  find,  wishes  you  to  live  in  college ; 
perhaps  it  is  better,  too ;  so  that  I  must  look  out  for 
chambers  for  you.  Let  me  see :  it  will  be  rather  difficult, 
just  now,  to  find  them."  Here  he  fell  for  some  moments 
into  a  musing  fit,  and  merely  muttered  a  few  broken 
sentences,  as,  "  To  be  sure,  if  other  chambers  could  bo 
had — but  then — and,  after  all,  perhaps,  as  he  is  young — 
besides,  Frank  will  certainly  be  expelled  before  long,  and 
then  he  will  have  them  all  to  himself.  I  say,  O'Malley,  I 
believe  I  must  quarter  you  for  the  present  with  a  rather 
wild  companion  ;  but  as  your  uncle  says  you're  a  prudent 
fellow  " — here  he  smiled  very  much,  as  if  my  uncle  had 
not  said  any  such  thing — "  why,  you  must  only  take  the 
better  care  of  yourself,  until  we  can  make  some  better 
arrangement.  My  pupil,  Frank  Webber,  is  at  this  moment 
in  want  of  a  '  chum,'  as  the  phrase  is,  his  last  three  having 
only  been  domesticated  with  him  for  as  many  weeks ;  so 
that,  until  we  find  you  a  more  quiet  resting- place,  you  may 
take  up  your  abode  with  him." 

\ 


100  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

During  breakfast,  the  Doctor  proceeded  to  inform  me 
that  my  destined  companion  was  a  young  man  of  excellent 
family  and  good  fortune,  who  with  very  considerable  talent 
and  acquirements,  preferred  a  life  of  rackety  and  careless 
dissipation  to  prospects  of  great  success  in  public  life, 
which  his  connection  and  family  might  have  secured  for 
him  :  that  he  had  been  originally  entered  at  Oxford,  which 
he  was  obliged  to  leave ;  then  tried  Cambridge,  from 
which  he  escaped  expulsion  by  being  rusticated,  that  is, 
having  incurred  a  sentence  of  temporary  banishm ent ;  and, 
lastly,  was  endeavouring,  with  what  he  himself  believed  to 
be  a  total  reformation,  to  stumble  on  to  a  degree  in  the 
"  silent  sister." 

"  This  is  his  third  year,"  said  the  Doctor,  "  and  he  is 
only  a  freshman,  having  lost  every  examination,  with 
abilities  enough  to  sweep  the  University  of  its  prizes. 
But  come  over  now,  and  I'll  present  you  to  him." 

I  followed  him  downstairs,  across  the  court,  to  an  angle 
of  the  old  square,  where,  up  the  first  floor  left,  to  use  tfie 
college  direction,  stood  the  name  of  Mr.  Webber,  a  large 
No.  2  being  conspicuously  painted  in  the  middle  of  the 
door,  and  not  over  it,  as  is  usually  the  custom.  As  we 
reached  the  spot,  the  observations  of  my  companion  were 
lost  to  me  in  the  tremendous  noise  and  uproar  that  re- 
sounded from  within.  It  seemed  as  if  a  number  of  people 
were  fighting,  pretty  much  as  a  banditti  in  a  melodrama 
do,  with  considerable  more  of  confusion  than  requisite  ;  a 
fiddle  and  a  French  horn  also  lent  their  assistance  to  shouts 
and  cries,  which,  to  say  the  best,  were  not  exactly  the  aids 
to  study  I  expected  in  such  a  place. 

Three  times  was  the  bell  pulled,  with  a  vigour  that 
threatened  its  downfall,  when,  at  last,  as  the  jingle  of  it 
rose  above  all  other  noises,  suddenly  all  became  hushed 
and  still :  a  momentary  pause  succeeded,  and  the  door  was 
opened  by  a  very  respectable-looking  servant,  who,  recog- 
nizing the  Doctor,  at  once  introduced  us  into  the  apartment 
where  Mr.  Webber  was  sitting. 

In  a  large  and  very  handsomely  furnished  room,  where 
Brussels  carpeting  and  softly-cushioned  sofas  contrasted 
strangely  with  the  meagre  and  comfortless  chambers  of  the 
Doctor,  aat  a  young  man  at  a  small  break  fast- table,  beside 
the  fire.  He  was  attired  in  a  silk  dressing-gown  and 


DUBLIN.  101 

black  velvet  slippers,  and  supported  his  forehead  upon  a 
hand  of  most  lady-like  whiteness,  whose  fingers  were  abso- 
lutely covered  with  rings  of  great  beauty  and  price.  His 
long  silky  brown  hair  fell  in  rich  profusion  upon  the  back 
of  his  neck,  and  over  his  arm,  and  the  whole  air  and  atti- 
tude was  one  which  a  painter  might  have  copied.  So 
intent  was  he  upon  the  volumes  before  him,  that  he  never 
raised  his  head  at  our  approach,  but  continued  to  read 
aloud,  totally  unaware  of  our  presence. 

"  Dr.  Mooney,  sir,"  said  the  servant. 

"  Ton  dapamey  bominos,  prosepke,  crione  Agamemnon" 
repeated  the  student,  in  an  ecstasy,  and  not  paying  the 
slightest  attention  to  the  announcement. 

"  Dr.  Mooney,  sir,"  repeated  the  servant  in  a  louder 
tone,  while  the  Doctor  looked  around  on  every  side  for  an 
explanation  of  the  late  uproar,  with  a  face  of  the  most 
puzzled  astonishment. 

"  Be  dakiown  para  tliina  dolekosJcion  enkos"  said  Mr. 
Webber,  finishing  a  cup  of  coffee  at  a  draught. 

"  Well,  Webber,  hard  at  work  I  see,"  said  the  Doctor. 

"  Ah,  Doctor,  I  beg  pardon  J  Have  you  been  long 
here  ?"  said  the  most  soft  and  insinuating  voice,  while  the 
speaker  passed  his  taper  Li.gers  across  his  brow,  as  if  to 
dissipate  the  traces  of  deep  thought  and  study. 

While  the  Doctor  presented  me  to  my  future  companion, 
I  could  perceive,  in  the  restless  and  searching  look  he 
threw  around,  that  the  fracas  he  had  so  lately  heard  was 
still  an  unexplained  and  vexata  questio  in  his  mind. 

"  May  I  off er  you  a  cup  of  coffee,  Mr.  O'Malley  ?  "  said 
the  youth,  with  an  air  of  almost  timid  bashfulness.  "  The 
Doctor,  I  know,  breakfasts  at  a  very  early  hour." 

"  I  say,  Webber,"  said  the  Doctor,  who  could  no  longer 
restrain  his  curiosity,  "  what  an  awful  row  I  heard  here 
as  I  came  up  to  the  door.  I  thought  Bedlam  was  broke 
loose.  What  could  it  have  been  ?  " 

"  Ah,  you  heard  it  too,  sir,"  said  Mr.  Webber,  smiling 
most  benignly. 

"  Hear  it  ?  to  be  sure  I  did.  O'Malley  and  I  could  not 
hear  ourselves  talking  with  the  uproar." 

"  Yes,  indeed,  it  is  very  provoking  ;  but,  then,  what's  to 
be  done  ?  One  can't  complain  under  the  circumstances." 

"  Why,  what  do  you  mean  ?  "  said  Mooney,  anxiously. 


102  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

*'  Nothing,  sir ;  nothing.  I'd  much  rather  you'd  not  ask 
me  ;  for,  after  all,  I'll  change  my  chambers." 

"  But  why  ?     Explain  this  at  once.     I  insist  upon  it." 

"  Can  I  depend  upon  the  discretion  of  your  young 
friend?'*  said  Mr.  Webber,  gravely. 

"Perfectly,"  said  the  Doctor,  now  wound  up  to  the 
greatest  anxiety  to  learn  a  secret. 

"  And  you'll  promise  not  to  mention  the  thing  except 
among  your  friends  ?  " 

"  I  do,"  said  the  Doctor. 

"  Well,  then,"  said  he,  in  a  low  and  confident  whisper, 
«•  it's  the  Dean." 

"  The  Dean ! "  said  Mooney,  with  a  start.  "  The  Dean  ! 
Why,  how  can  it  be  the  Dean  ?  " 

"Too  true,"  said  Mr.  Webber,  making  a  sign  of  drink- 
ing; "too  true,  Doctor.  And  then,  the  moment  he  is  so, 
he  begins  smashing  the  furniture.  Never  was  anything 
heard  like  it.  As  for  me,  as  I  am  now  become  a  reading 
man,  I  must  go  elsewhere." 

Now,  it  so  chanced  that  the  worthy  Dean,  who  albeit  a 
man  of  most  abstemious  habits,  possessed  a  nose  which,  in 
colour  and  development,  was  a  most  unfortunate  witness 
to  call  to  character,  and  as  Mooney  heard  Webber  narrate 
circumstantially  the  frightful  excesses  of  the  great  func- 
tionary, I  saw  that  something  like  conviction  was  stealing 
over  him. 

"  You'll,  of  course,  never  speak  of  this  except  to  your 
most  intimate  friends,"  said  Webber. 

"  Of  course  not,"  said  the  Doctor,  as  be  shook  his  hand 
warmly,  and  prepared  to  leave  the  room.  "O'Malley,  I 
leave  you  here,"  said  he ;  '*  Webber  and  v«u  can  talk  over 
your  arrangements." 

Webber  followed  the  Doctor  to  the  door,  whispered 
something  in  his  ear,  to  which  the  other  replied,  "  Very 
well,  I  will  write ;  but  if  your  father  sends  the  money,  I 

must  insist "  The  rest  was  lost  in  protestations  and 

professions  of  the  most  fervent  kind,  amid  which  the  door 
was  shut,  and  Mr.  Webber  returned  to  the  room. 

Short  as  was  the  interspace  from  the  door  without  to 
the  room  within,  it  was  still  ample  enough  to  effect  a  very 
thorough  and  remarkable  change  in  the  whole  external 
appearance  of  Mr.  Prank  Webber ;  for,  scarcely  had  the 


DUBLIN  103 

oaken  panel  shut  out  the  Doctor,  when  he  appeared  no 
longer  the  shy,  timid,  and  silvery- toned  gentleman  of  five 
minutes  before,  but,  dashing  boldly  forward,  he  seized  a 
key-bugle  that  lay  hid  beneath  a  sofa-cushion,  and  blew  a 
tremendous  blast. 

"  Come  forth,  ye  demons  of  the  lower  world,"  said  he, 
drawing  a  cloth  from  a  large  table,  and  discovering  the 
figures  of  three  young  men,  coiled  up  beneath.  "  Come 
forth,  and  fear  not,  most  timorous  freshmen  that  ye  are," 
said  he,  unlocking  a  pantry,  and  liberating  two  others. 
*'  Gentlemen,  let  me  introduce  to  your  acquaintance  Mr. 
O'Malley.  My  chum,  gentlemen.  Mr.  O'Malley,  this  is 
Henry  Nesbitt,  who  has  been  in  college  since  the  days  of 
old  Perpendicular,  and  numbers  more  cautions  than  any 
man  who  ever  had  his  name  on  the  books.  Here  is  my 
particular  friend,  Cecil  Cavendish,  the  only  man  who  could 
ever  devil  kidneys.  Captaiu  Power,  Mr.  O'Malley ;  a 
dashing  dragoon,  as  you  see ;  aide-de-camp  to  his  Excel- 
lency the  Lord  Lieutenant,  and  love-maker  general  to 
Merrion  Square  West.  These,"  said  he,  pointing  to  the 
late  denizens  of  the  pantry,  "  are  jibs,  whose  names  are 
neither  known  to  the  proctor  nor  the  police-office ;  but, 
with  due  regard  to  their  education  and  morals  we  don't 
despair." 

"  By  no  means,"  said  Power ;  **  but  come,  let  us  resume 
our  game."  At  these  words  he  took  a  folio  atlas  of  maps 
from  a  small  table,  and  displayed  beneath  a  pack  of  cards, 
dealt  as  if  for  whist.  The  two  gentlemen  to  whom  I  was 
introduced  by  name,  returned  to  their  places  ;  the  unknown 
two  put  on  their  boxing  gloves,  and  all  resumed  the 
hilarity  which  Dr.  Moonej's  advent  had  so  suddenly  in- 
terrupted. 

"Where's  Moore?"  said  Webber,  as  he  once  more 
seated  himself  at  his  breakfast. 

"  Making  a  spatch-cock,  sir,"  said  the  servant. 

At  the  same  instant,  a  little,  dapper,  jovial-looking  per- 
sonage appeared  with  tfie  disn  in  question. 

"Mr.  O'Malley,  Mr.  Moore,  the  gentleman  who,  by 
repeated  remonstrances  to  the  board,  has  succeeded  in 
getting  eatable  food  for  the  inhabitants  of  this  peniten- 
tiary, and  has  the  honoured  reputation  of  reforming  the 
commons  of  college." 


104  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

"  Anything  to  Godfrey  O'Malley,  may  I  ask,  sir?"  said 
Moore. 

"  His  nephew,"  I  replied. 

"Which  of  you  winged  the  gentleman  the  other  day  for 
not  passing  the  decanter,  or  something  of  that  sort?" 

"  If  you  mean  the  affair  with  Mr.  Bodkin,  it  was  I." 

"  Glorious,  that ;  begad,  I  thought  you  were  one  of  us. 
I  say,  Power,  it  was  he  pinked  Bodkin." 

"  Ah,  indeed,"  said  Power,  not  turning  his  head  from 
his  game  ;  "  a  pretty  shot,  I  heard — two  by  honours — and 
hit  him  fairly — the  odd  trick.  Hammersley  mentioned 
the  thing  to  me." 

"  Oh!  is  he  in  town  ?**  said  I. 

"  No ;  he  sailed  for  Portsmouth  yesterday.  He  is  to 
join  the  llth — game — I  say,  Webber,  you've  lost  the 
rubber." 

"  Double  or  quit,  and  a  dinner  at  Dunleary,"  said  Web- 
ber.  "  We  must  show  O'Malley — confound  the  Mister — 
something  of  the  place." 

"  Agreed." 

The  whist  was  resumed ;  the  boxers,  now  refreshed  by 
a  leg  of  the  spatch-cock,  returned  to  their  gloves,  Mr. 
Moore  took  up  his  violin,  Mr.  Webber  his  French  horn, 
and  I  was  left  the  only  unemployed  man  in  the  company. 

"  I  say,  Power,  you'd  better  bring  the  drag  over  here 
for  us  ;  we  can  all  go  down  together." 

"  I  must  inform  you,"  said  Cavendish,  "  that,  thanks  to 
your  philanthropic  efforts  of  last  night,  the  passage  from 
Grafton  Street  to  Stephen's  Green  is  impracticable."  A 
tremendous  roar  of  laughter  followed  this  announcement ; 
and,  though  at  the  time  the  cause  was  unknown  to  me, 
I  may  as  well  mention  it  here,  as  I  subsequently  learned 
it  from  my  companions. 

Among  the  many  peculiar  tastes  which  distinguished 
Mr.  Francis  Webber,  was  an  extraordinary  fancy  for  street- 
begging  ;  he  had,  over  and  over,  won  large  sums  upon  his 
success  in  that  difficult  walk ;  and  so  perfect  were  his  dis- 
guises, both  of  dress,  voice,  and  manner,  that  he  actually, 
at  one  time,  succeeded  in  obtaining  charity  from  his  very 
opponent  in  the  wager.  He  wrote  ballads  with  the  greatest 
facility,  and  sang  them  with  infinite  pathos  and  humour ; 
and  the  old  woman  at  the  corner  of  College  Green  was 


DUBLIN.  105 

certain  of  an  audience  when  the  severity  of  the  night 
would  leave  all  other  minstrelsy  deserted.  As  these  feata 
of  jonglerie  usually  terminated  in  a  row,  it  was  a  most 
amusing  part  of  the  transaction  to  see  the  singer's  part 
taken  by  the  mob  against  the  college  men,  who,  growing 
impatient  to  carry  him  off  to  supper  somewhere,  would 
invariably  be  obliged  to  have  a  fight  for  the  booty. 

Now,  it  chanced  that  a  few  evenings  before,  Mr.  Webber 
was  returning  with  a  pocket  well  lined  with  copper,  from 
a  musical  reunion  he  had  held  at  the  corner  of  York  Street, 
when  the  idea  struck  him  to  stop  at  the  end  of  Grafton 
Street,  where  a  huge  stone  grating  at  that  time  exhibited, 
perhaps  it  exhibits  still,  the  descent  to  one  of  the  great 
main  sewers  of  the  city. 

The  light  was  shining  brightly  from  a  pastrycook's  shop, 
and  showed  the  large  bars  of  stone  between  which  the 
muddy  water  was  rushing  rapidly  down,  and  plashing  in 
the  torrent  that  ran  boisterously  several  feet  beneath. 

To  stop  in  the  street  of  any  crowded  city  is,  under  any 
circumstances,  an  invitation  to  others  to  do  likewise,  which 
is  rarely  unaccepted ;  but  when  in  addition  to  this,  you 
stand  fixedly  in  one  spot,  and  regard  with  stern  intensity 
any  object  near  you,  the  chances  are  ten  to  one  that  you 
have  several  companions  in  your  curiosity  before  a  minute 
expires. 

Now,  Webber,  who  had  at  first  stood  still,  without  any 
peculiar  thought  in  view,  no  sooner  perceived  that  he  was 
joined  by  others,  than  the  idea  of  making  something  out 
of  it  immediately  occurred  to  him. 

"What  is  it,  agra?"  inquired  an  old  woman,  very 
much  in  his  own  style  of  dress,  pulling  at  the  hood  of 
his  cloak. 

"  And  can't  you  see  for  yourself,  darling  ?  "  replied  he, 
sharply,  as  he  knelt  down,  and  looked  most  intensely  at 
the  sewer. 

"  Are  ye  long  there,  avick  ?  "  inquired  he  of  an  imaginary 
individual  below,  and  then  waiting  as  if  for  a  reply,  said, 
*'  Two  hours !  Blessed  Virgin !  he's  two  hours  in  the 
drain !  " 

By  this  time  the  crowd  had  reached  entirely  across  the 
street,  and  the  crushing  and  squeezing  to  get  near  the 
important  spot  was  awful. 


106  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

"Where  did  he  come  from  ?"  «'  Who  is  he?"  "How 
did  he  get  there  ? "  were  questions  on  every  side,  and 
various  surmises  were  afloat,  till  Webber,  rising  from  his 
knees,  said,  in  a  mysterious  whisper  to  those  nearest  him, 
"  He's  made  his  escape  to-night  out  o'  Newgate  by  the 
big  drain,  and  lost  his  way ;  he  was  looking  for  the  Liffey, 
and  took  the  wrong  turn." 

To  an  Irish  mob,  what  appeal  could  equal  this  P  A 
cnlprit,  at  any  time,  has  his  claim  upon  their  sympathy ; 
but  let  him  be  caught  in  the  very  act  of  cheating  the 
authorities  and  evading  the  law,  and  his  popularity  knows 
no  bounds.  Webber  knew  this  well,  and,  as  the  mob 
thickened  around  him,  sustained  an  imaginary  conversa- 
tion that  Savage  Landor  might  have  envied,  imparting 
now  and  then  such  hints  concerning  the  runaway  as  raised 
their  interest  to  the  highest  pitch,  and  fifty  different  ver- 
sions were  related  on  all  sides — of  the  crime  he  was  guilty 
— the  sentence  that  was  passed  on  him — and  the  day  he 
was  to  suffer. 

"Do  yon  see  the  light,  dear?"  said  Webber,  as  some 
ingeniously  benevolent  individual  had  lowered  down  a 
candle  with  a  string — "do  ye  see  the  light?  Oh!  he's 
fainted,  the  creature."  A  cry  of  horror  from  the  crowd 
burst  forth  at  these  words,  followed  by  a  universal  shout 
of  "Break  open  the  street." 

Pickaxes,  shovels,  spades,  and  crowbars  seemed  abso- 
lutely the  walking  accompaniments  of  the  crowd,  so 
suddenly  did  they  appear  upon  the  field  of  action,  and  the 
work  of  exhumation  was  begun  with  a  vigour  that  speedily 
covered  nearly  half  of  the  street  with  mud  and  paving 
stones.  Parties  relieved  each  other  at  the  task,  and,  ere 
half  an  hour,  a  hole  capable  of  containing  a  mail  coach 
was  yawning  in  one  of  the  most  frequented  thoroughfares 
of  Dublin.  Meanwhile,  as  no  appearance  of  the  culprit 
could  be  had,  dreadful  conjectures  as  to  his  fate  began  to 
gain  ground.  By  this  time  the  authorities  had  received 
intimation  of  what  was  going  forward,  and  attempted  to 
disperse  the  crowd :  but  Webber,  who  still  continued  to 
conduct  the  prosecution,  called  on  them  to  resist  the  police, 
and  save  the  poor  creature.  And  now  began  a  most  terrific 
fray ;  the  stones,  forming  a  ready  weapon,  were  hurled  at 
*he  unprepared  constables,  who,  on  their  side,  fought 


DUBLIN.  107 

manfully,  but  against  superior  numbers ;  so  that,  at  last, 
it  was  only  by  the  aid  of  a  military  force  the  mob  could 
be  dispersed,  and  a  riot,  which  had  assumed  a  very  serious 
character,  got  under.  Meanwhile,  Webber  had  reached 
his  chambers,  changed  his  costume,  and  was  relating  over 
a  supper-table  the  narrative  of  his  philanthropy  to  a  very 
admiring  circle  of  his  friends. 

Such  was  my  chum,  Frank  Webber ;  and  as  this  was 
the  first  anecdote  I  had  heard  of  him,  I  relate  it  here  that 
my  readers  may  be  in  possession  of  the  grounds  upon 
which  my  opinion  of  that  celebrated  character  was  founded 
while  yet  our  acquaintance  was  in  its  infancy. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

CAPTAIN  POWER. 

WITHIN  a  few  weeks  after  my  arrival  in  town  I  had  become 
a  matriculated  student  of  the  University,  and  the  possessor 
of  chambers  within  its  walls,  in  conjunction  with  the  sage 
and  prudent  gentleman  I  have  introduced  to  my  readers 
in  the  last  chapter.  Had  my  intentions  on  entering  college 
been  of  the  most  studious  and  regular  kind,  the  companion 
into  whose  society  I  was  then  immediately  thrown  would 
have  quickly  dissipated  them.  He  voted  morning  chapels 
a  bore,  Greek  lectures  a  humbug,  examinations  a  farce, 
and  pronounced  the  statute-book,  with  its  attendant  train 
of  fines  and  punishment,  an  "  unclean  thing."  With  all 
my  country  habits  and  predilections  fresh  upon  me,  that  I 
was  an  easily  won  disciple  to  his  code  need  not  be  won- 
dered at,  and,  indeed,  ere  many  days  had  passed  over,  my 
thorough  indifference  to  all  college  rules  and  regulations 
had  given  me  a  high  place  in  the  esteem  of  Webber  and 
his  friends.  As  for  myself,  I  was  most  agreeably  surprised 

Vol.  30— (5) 


108  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

to  find  that  what  I  had  looked  forward  to  as  a  very 
melancholy  banishment,  was  likely  to  prove  a  most  agree- 
able sojourn.  Under  Webber's  directions,  there  was  no 
hour  of  the  day  that  hung  heavily  upon  our  hands.  We 
rose  about  eleven,  and  breakfasted ;  after  which  succeeded 
fencing,  sparring,  billiards,  or  tennis  in  the  park  ;  about 
three,  got  on  horseback,  and  either  cantered  in  the  Phoenix 
or  about  the  squares  till  visiting  time  ;  after  which  made 
our  calls,  and  then  dressed  for  dinner,  which  we  never 
thought  of  taking  at  commons,  but  had  it  from  Morrison's, 
we  both  being  reported  sick  in  the  Dean's  list,  and  thereby 
exempt  from  the  routine  fare  of  the  fellows'  table.  In 
the  evening  our  occupations  became  still  more  pressing  ; 
there  were  balls,  suppers,  whist  parties,  rows  at  the  theatre, 
shindies  in  the  street,  devilled  drumsticks  at  Hayes's, 
select  oyster  parties  at  the  Carlingford ;  in  fact,  every 
known  method  of  remaining  up  all  night,  and  appearing 
both  pale  and  penitent  the  following  morning. 

Webber  had  a  large  acquaintance  in  Dublin,  and  soon 
made  me  known  to  them  all.  Among  others,  the  officers 
of  the  — th  Light  Dragoons,  in  which  regiment  Power  was 
captain,  were  his  particular  friends,  and  we  had  frequent 
invitations  to  dine  at  their  mess.  There  it  was  first  that 
military  life  presented  itself  to  me  in  its  most  attractive, 
possible  form,  and  heightened  the  passion  I  had  already  so 
strongly  conceived  for  the  army.  Power,  above  all  others, 
took  my  fancy.  He  was  a  gay,  dashing-looking,  handsome 
fellow  of  about  eight-and-twenty,  who  had  already  seen 
some  service,  having  joined  while  his  regiment  was  in  Por- 
tugal ;  was  in  heart  and  soul  a  soldier,  and  had  that  species 
of  pride  and  enthusiasm  in  all  that  regarded  a  military 
career  that  form  no  small  part  of  the  charm  in  the  character 
of  a  young  officer. 

I  sat  near  him  the  second  day  we  dined  at  the  mess,  and 
was  much  pleased  at  many  slight  attentions  in  his  manner 
towards  me. 

"  I  called  on  you  to-day,  Mr.  O'Malley,"  said  he,  "  in 
company  with  a  friend,  who  is  most  anxious  to  see  you." 

"  Indeed,"  said  I ;  "  I  did  not  hear  of  it." 

"  We  left  no  cards  either  of  us,  as  we  were  determined 
to  make  you  out  on  another  day  ;  my  companion  has  most 
urgent  reasons  for  seeing  you.  I  see  you  are  puzzled," 


CAPTAIN   POWER.  109 

said  lie,  "and,  although  I  promised  to  keep  his  secret,  1 
must  blab :  it  was  Sir  George  Dashwood  was  with  me; 
he  told  us  of  your  most  romantic  adventure  in  the  west, 
and,  faith,  there  is  no  doubt  you  saved  the  lady's  life." 

"  Was  she  worth  the  trouble  of  it  ?  "  said  the  old  major, 
whose  conjugal  experiences  imparted  a  very  crusty  tone  to 
the  question. 

"  I  think,"  said  I,  "  I  need  only  tell  her  name  to  con- 
vince you  of  it." 

"  Here's  a  bumper  to  her,"  said  Power,  filling  his  glass ; 
'*  and  every  true  man  will  follow  my  example." 

When  the  hip,  hipping  which  followed  the  toast  was 
over,  I  found  myself  enjoying  no  small  share  of  the  atten- 
tion of  the  party  as  the  deliverer  of  Lucy  Dashwood. 

"  Sir  George  is  cudgelling  his  brain  to  show  his  grati- 
tude to  you,"  said  Power. 

"  What  a  pity,  for  the  sake  of  his  peace  of  mind,  that 
you're  not  in  the  array,"  said  another ;  "  it's  so  easy  to 
show  a  man  a  delicate  regard  by  a  quick  promotion." 

"A  devil  of  a  pity  for  his  own  sake,  too,"  said  Power, 
again  ;  "  they're  going  to  make  a  lawyer  of  as  strapping 
a  fellow  as  ever  carried  a  sabretasche." 

"  A  lawyer !  "  cried  out  half  a  dozen  together,  pretty 
much  with  the  same  tone  and  emphasis  as  though  he  hald 
said  a  twopenny  postman — "  the  devil  they  are." 

"  Cut  the  service  at  once :  you'll  get  no  promotion  in  it," 
said  the  colonel ;  "  a  fellow  with  a  black  eye  like  you  would 
look  much  better  at  the  head  of  a  squadron  than  a  string 
of  witnesses.  Trust  me,  you'd  shine  more  in  conducting 
a  picket  than  a  prosecution." 

"  But  if  I  can't  ?  "  said  I. 

"  Then  take  my  plan,"  said  Power,  "and  make  it  cut 
you." 

"  Yours  ?  "  said  two  or  three  in  a  breath — "  yours  ?  " 

"  Ay,  mine  ;  did  you  never  know  that  I  was  bred  to  the 
bar?  Come,  come,  if  it  was  only  for  O'Malley's  use  and 
benefit — as  we  say  iii  the  parchments — I  mast  tell  you  the 
story." 

The  claret  was  pushed  briskly  round,  chairs  drawn  up 
to  fill  any  vacant  spaces,  and  Power  began  his  story. 

"  As  I  am  not  over  long-winded,  don't  be  scared  at  my 
beginning  my  history  somewhat  far  back.  I  began  life  that 


110  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

most  unlucky  of  all  earthly  contrivances  for  supplying 
casualties  in  case  anything  may  befall  the  heir  of  the  house 
— a  species  of  domestic  jury-mast,  only  lugged  out  in  a 
gale  of  wind — a  younger  son.  My  brother  Tom,  a  thick- 
skulled,  pudding-headed  dog,  that  had  no  taste  for  any- 
thing save  his  dinner,  took  it  into  his  wise  head  one 
morning  that  he  would  go  into  the  army,  and,  although  I 
had  been  originally  destined  for  a  soldier,  no  sooner  was 
bis  choice  made,  than  all  regard  for  my  taste  and  inclina- 
tion was  forgotten ;  and,  as  the  family  interest  was  only 
enough  for  one,  it  was  decided  that  I  should  be  put  in 
what  is  called  a  '  learned  profession,'  and  let  push  my 
fortune.  '  Take  your  choice,  Dick,'  said  my  father,  with 
a  most  benign  smile — '  take  your  choice,  boy :  will  yon  be 
a  lawyer,  a  parson,  or  a  doctor  ? ' 

"  Had  he  said,  '  Will  you  be  put  in  the  stocks,  the  pillory, 
or  publicly  whipped  ?  '  I  could  not  have  looked  more  blank 
than  at  the  question. 

"  As  a  decent  Protestant,  he  should  have  grudged  me  to 
the  church ;  as  a  philanthropist,  he  might  have  scrupled  at 
making  me  a  physician ;  but,  as  he  had  lost  deeply  by  law- 
suits, there  looked  something  very  like  a  lurking  malice  in 
sending  me  to  the  bar.  Now,  so  far  I  concurred  with 
him,  for  having  no  gift  for  enduring  either  sermons  or 
senna,  I  thought  I'd  make  a  bad  administrator  of  either, 
and  as  I  was  ever  regarded  in  the  family  as  rather  of  a 
shrewd  and  quick  turn,  with  a  very  natural  taste  for 
roguery,  I  began  to  believe  he  was  right,  and  that  nature 
intended  me  for  the  circuit. 

"  From  the  hour  my  vocation  was  pronounced,  it  had 
been  happy  for  the  family  that  they  could  have  got  rid  of 
me.  A  certain  ambition  to  rise  in  my  profession  laid  hold 
on  me,  and  I  meditated  all  day  and  night  how  I  was  to 
get  on.  Every  trick,  every  subtle  invention  to  cheat  the 
enemy  that  I  could  read  of,  I  treasured  up  carefully,  being 
fully  impressed  with  the  notion  that  roguery  meant  law, 
and  equity  was  only  another  name  for  odd  and  even. 

"  My  days  were  spent  haranguing  special  juries  of 
housemaids  and  laundresses,  cross-examining  the  cook, 
charging  the  under  butler,  and  passing  sentence  of  death 
upon  the  pantry  boy,  who,  I  may  add,  was  invariably 
hanged  when  the  court  rose. 


CAPTAIN  POWBB.  Ill 

u  If  the  mutton  were  overdone,  or  the  turkey  burned,  I 
drew  up  an  indictment  against  old  Margaret,  and  against 
the  ki tcli en-maid  as  accomplice ;  and  the  family  hungered 
while  I  harangued ;  and,  in  fact,  into  such  disrepute  did  I 
bring  the  legal  profession,  by  the  score  of  annoyance  of 
which  I  made  it  the  vehicle,  that  my  father  got  a  kind  of 
holy  horror  of  law  courts,  judges,  and  crown  solicitors,  and 
absented  himself  from  the  assizes  the  same  year,  for  which, 
being  a  high  sheriff,  he  paid  a  penalty  of  £500. 

"  The  next  day  I  was  sent  off  in  disgrace  to  Dublin  to 
begin  my  career  in  college,  and  eat  the  usual  quartos 
and  folios  of  beef  and  mutton  which  qualify  a  man  for  the 
woolsack. 

"  Years  rolled  over,  in  which,  after  an  ineffectual  effort 
to  get  through  college,  the  only  examination  I  ever  got 
being  a  jubilee  for  the  king's  birthday,  I  was  at  length 
called  to  the  Irish  bar,  and  saluted  by  my  friends  as 
Counsellor  Power.  The  whole  thing  was  so  like  a  joke  to 
me,  that  it  kept  me  in  laughter  for  three  terms,  and,  in 
fact,  it  was  the  best  tiling  could  happen  me,  for  I  had 
nothing  else  to  do.  The  hall  of  the  Four  Courts  was  a 
very  pleasant  lonnge,  plenty  of  agreeable  fellows  that 
never  earned  sixpence,  or  were  likely  to  do  so.  Then  the 
circuits  were  so  many  country  excursions,  thnt  supplied 
fun  of  one  kind  or  other,  but  no  profit.  As  for  me,  1  was 
what  was  called  a  good  junior :  I  knew  how  to  look  after 
the  waiters,  to  inspect  the  decanting  of  the  wine,  and  the 
airing  of  the  claret,  and  was  always  attentive  to  the  father 
of  the  circuit,  the  Grossest  old  villain  that  ever  was  a 
king's  counsel.  These  eminent  qualities,  and  my  being 
able  to  sing  a  song  in  honour  of  our  own  bar,  were  recom- 
mendations enough  to  make  me  a  favourite,  and  I  was 
one. 

"  Now  the  reputation  I  obtained  was  pleasant  enough  at 
first,  but  I  began  to  wonder  that  I  never  got  a  brief. 
Somehow,  if  it  rained  civil  bills  or  declarations,  devil  a 
one  would  fall  upon  my  head,  and  it  seemed  as  if  the  only 
object  I  had  in  life  was  to  accompany  the  circuit,  a  kind  of 
deputy-assistant  commissary-general,  never  expected  to 
come  into  action.  To  be  sure,  I  was  not  alone  in  misfor- 
tune ;  there  were  several  promising  youths  who  cut  groat 
figures  in  Trinity,  in  the  same  predicament,  the  only  differ. 


112  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

ence  being,  that  they  attributed  to  jealousy  what  I  sus- 
pected was  forgetfulness,  for  1  don't  think  a  single  attorney 
in  Dublin  knew  one  of  us. 

"  Two  years  passed  over,  and  then  I  walked  the  hall 
with  a  bag  filled  with  newspapers,  to  look  like  briefs,  and 
was  regularly  called  by  two  or  three  criers  from  one  court 
to  the  other.  It  never  took  ;  even  when  I  used  to  seduce 
a  country  friend  to  visit  the  courts,  and  get  him  into  an 
animated  conversation  in  a  corner  between  two  pillars, 
devil  a  one  would  believe  him  to  be  a  client,  and  I  was 
fairly  nonplussed. 

"  '  How  is  a  man  ever  to  distinguish  himself  in  such  a 
walk  as  this  ?  '  was  my  eternal  question  to  myself  every 
morning  as  I  put  on  my  wig.  '  My  face  is  as  well  known 
here  as  Lord  Manners's  ; '  every  one  says,  '  How  are  you, 
Dick  ? '  *  How  goes  it,  Power  ?  '  but  except  Holmes,  that 
said  one  morning  as  he  passed  me,  'Eh,  always  busy?' 
no  one  alludes  to  the  possibility  of  my  having  anything 
to  do. 

"  '  If  I  could  only  get  a  footing,'  thought  I,  '  Lord,  how 
I'd  astonish  them !  As  the  song  says, — 

"•  Perhaps  a  recruit 
Might  chance  to  shoot 

Great  General  Buonaparte." 

So,'  said  I  to  myself, '  I'll  make  these  halls  ring  for  it  some 
day  or  other,  if  the  occasion  ever  present  itself.'  But, 
faith,  it  seemed  as  if  some  cunning  solicitor  overheard  me, 
and  told  his  associates,  for  they  avoided  me  like  a  leprosy. 
The  home  circuit  I  had  adopted  for  some  time  past,  for  the 
very  palpable  reason  that,  being  near  town,  it  was  least 
costly,  and  it  had  all  the  advantages  of  any  other  for  me, 
in  getting  me  nothing  to  do.  Well,  one  morning  we  were 
in  Philipstown  ;  I  was  lying  awake  in  bed,  thinking  how 
long  it  would  be  before  I'd  sum  up  resolution  to  cut  the 
bar,  where  certainly  ray  prospects  were  not  the  most 
cheering,  when  some  wne  tapped  gently  at  my  door. 

"  '  Come  in,'  said  I. 

"  The  waiter  opened  gently,  and  held  out  his  hand 
with  a  large  roll  of  paper  tied  round  with  a  piece  of  red 
tape. 

"  '  Counsellor,'  said  he,  *  handsel.' 


CAPTAIN   POWER.  113 

*• '  What  do  you  mean  ?  '  said  I,  jumping  out  of  bed ; 
'  what  is  it,  you  villain  ?  ' 

" '  A  brief.' 

" '  A  brief ;  so  I  see,  but  it's  for  Counsellor  Kinshella, 
below  stairs.'  That  was  the  first  name  written  on  it. 

•' '  Bethershin,'  said  he,  '  Mr.  M'Grath  bid  me  give  it  to 
you  carefully.' 

"  By  this  time  I  had  opened  the  envelope,  and  read  my 
own  name  at  full  length  as  junior  counsel  in  the  important 
case  of  Monaghan  v.  M'Shean,  to  be  tried  in  the  Kecord 
Court  at  Ballinasloe.  '  That  will  do,'  said  I,  flinging  it  on 
the  bed  with  a  careless  air,  as  if  it  were  a  very  erery-day 
matter  with  me. 

"  '  But,  counsellor,  darlin',  give  us  a  thrifle  to  dhrink  your 
health  with  your  first  cause,  and  the  Lord  send  you  plenty 
of  them.' 

" '  My  first,'  said  I,  with  a  smile  of  most  ineffable  com- 
passion at  his  simplicity,  '  I'm  worn  out  with  them ;  do 
you  know,  Peter,  I  was  thinking  seriously  of  leaving  the 
bar,  when  you  came  into  the  room.  Upon  my  conscience, 
it's  in  earnest  I  am.' 

"  Peter  believed  me,  I  think,  for  I  saw  him  give  a  very 
peculiar  look  as  he  pocketed  his  half-crown  and  left  the 
room. 

44  The  door  was  scarcely  closed  when  I  gave  way  to  the 
free  transport  of  my  ecstasy  ;  there  it  lay  at  last,  the  long 
looked-for,  long  wished-for  object  of  all  my  happiness,  and, 
though  I  well  knew  that  a  junior  counsel  has  about  as 
much  to  do  in  the  conducting  of  a  case  as  a  rusty  hand- 
spike has  in  a  naval  engagement,  yet  I  suffered  not  such 
thoughts  to  mar  the  current  of  my  happiness.  There  was 
my  name  in  conjunction  with  the  two  mighty  leaders  on 
the  circuit,  and  though  they  each  pocketed  a  hundred,  I 
doubt  very  much  if  they  received  their  briefs  with  one 
half  the  satisfaction.  My  joy  at  length  a  little  subdued, 
I  opened  the  roll  of  paper  and  began  carefully  to  peruse 
about  fifty  pages  of  narrative  regarding  a  watercourse 
that  once  had  turned  a  mill ;  but,  from  some  reasons 
doubtless  known  to  itself  or  its  friends,  would  do  so  no 
longer,  and  thus  set  two  respectable  neighbours  at  logger- 
heads, and  involved  them  in  a  record  that  had  been  now 
heard  three  several  times. 


114  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

"  Quite  forgetting  the  sabordinate  part  I  was  destined 
to  fill,  I  opened  the  case  in  the  most  flowery  oration,  in 
which  I  descanted  upon  the  benefits  accruing  to  mankind 
from  water-communication  since  the  days  of  Noah ;  re- 
marked upon  the  antiquity  of  mills,  and  especially  of 
millers,  and  consumed  half  an  hour  in  a  preamble  of  gene- 
ralities that  I  hoped  would  make  a  very  considerable 
impression  upon  the  court.  Just  at  the  critical  moment 
when  I  was  about  to  enter  more  particularly  into  the  case, 
three  or  four  of  the  great  unbriefed  came  rattling  into  my 
room,  and  broke  in  upon  the  oration. 

"  *  I  say,  Power,'  said  one, '  come  and  have  an  hour's 
skating  on  the  canal ;  the  courts  are  filled,  and  we  shan't 
be  missed.* 

"  '  Skate,  my  dear  friend,'  said  I,  in  a  most  dolorous 
tone,  *  out  of  the  question  ;  see,  I  am  chained  to  a  devilish 
knotty  case  with  Kinshella  and  Mills.' 

"  '  Confound  your  humbugging,'  said  another ;  '  that 
may  do  very  well  in  Dublin  for  the  attorneys,  but  not 
with  us.' 

" '  I  don't  well  understand  you,'  I  replied  ;  *  there  is  the 
brief.  Hennesy  expects  me  to  report  upon  it  this  evening, 
and  I  am  so  hurried.' 

"  Here  a  very  chorus  of  laughing  broke  forth,  in  which, 
after  several  vain  efforts  to  resist,  I  was  forced  to  join,  and 
kept  it  up  with  the  others. 

"  When  our  mirth  was  over,  my  friends  scrutinized  the 
red  tape-tied  packet,  and  pronounced  it  a  real  brief,  with 
a  degree  of  surprise  that  certainly  augured  little  for  their 
familiarity  with  such  objects  of  natural  history. 

"When  they  had  left  the  room,  I  leisurely  examined 
the  all-important  document,  spreading  it  out  before  me 
upon  the  table,  and  surveying  it  as  a  newly  anointed 
sovereign  might  be  supposed  to  contemplate  a  map  of 
his  dominions. 

'* '  At  last,'  said  I  to  myself — '  at  last,  and  here  is  the 
footstep  to  the  woolsack.'  POT  more  than  an  hour  I  sat 
motionless,  my  eyes  fixed  upon  the  outspread  paper,  lost 
in  a  very  maze  of  reverie.  The  ambition  which  disappoint- 
ments had  crushed,  and  delay  had  chilled,  came  suddenly 
back,  and  ail  my  day-dreams  of  legal  success,  my  cherished 
aspirations  after  silk  gowns,  and  patents  of  precedence 


CAOTAIN  POWEB.  115 

rushed  once  more  upon  me,  and  I  resolved  to  do  or  die. 
Alas !  a  very  little  reflection  showed  me  that  the  latter 
was  perfectly  practicable ;  but  that,  as  a  junior  counsel, 
five  minutes  of  very  commonplace  recitation  was  all  my 
province,  and  with  the  main  business  of  the  day  I  had 
about  HS  much  to  do  as  the  call-boy  of  a  playhouse  has 
with  the  success  of  a  tragedy. 

" '  My  Lord,  this  is  an  action  brought  by  Timothy 
Higgir./  &c.,  and  down  I  go,  no  more  to  be  remembered 
and  thought  of  i ban  if  I  had  never  existed.  How  different 
it  would  bj  were  I  the  leader!  Zounds,  how  I  would 
worry  the  witnesses,  browbeat  the  evidence,  cajole  the 
jury,  and  soften  the  judges!  If  the  Lord  were,  in  his 
mercy  to  remove  old  Mills  and  Kinshella  before  Tuesday, 
who  knows  but  my  fortune  might  be  made  ?  This  sup- 
position once  started,  set  me  speculating  upon  all  the 
possible  chances  that  might  cut  off  two  king's  counsel  in 
three  days,  and  left  me  fairly  convinced  that  my  own 
elevation  was  certain,  were  they  only  removed  from  my 
path. 

"  For  two  whole  days  the  thought  never  left  my  mind ; 
and,  on  the  evening  of  the  second  day,  I  sat  moodily  over 
my  pint  of  port,  in  the  Clonbrock  Arms,  with  my  friend, 
Timothy  Casey,  Captain  in  the  North  Cork  Militia,  for  my 
companion. 

" '  Fred,'  said  Tim,  '  take  off  your  wine,  man.  When 
does  this  confounded  trial  come  on  ? ' 

"  '  To-morrow,'  said  I,  with  a  deep  groan. 

"'Well,  well,  and  if  it  does,  what  matter,'  lie  said; 
*  you'll  do  well  enough,  never  be  afraid.' 

"  '  Alas  ! '  said  I,  '  you  don't  understand  the  cause  of 
my  depression.'  I  here  entered  upon  an  account  of  my 
sorrows,  which  lasted  for  above  an  hour,  and  only  con- 
cluded just  as  a  tremendous  noise  in  the  street  without 
announced  an  arrival.  For  several  minutes,  such  was  the 
excitement  in  the  house,  such  running  hither  and  thither, 
such  confusion,  and  such  hubbub,  that  we  could  not  make 
out  who  had  arrived. 

"  At  last  a  door  opened  quite  near  us,  and  we  saw  the 
waiter  assisting  a  very  portly-looking  gentleman  off  with 
his  greatcoat,  assuring  him  the  while,  that  if  he  would 
only  walk  into  the  coffee-room  for  ten  minutes,  the  fire  in 


116  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

Lis  apartment  should  be  got  ready.  The  stranger  accord- 
ingly entered  and  seated  himself  at  the  fireplace,  having 
never  noticed  that  Casey  and  myself — the  only  persons 
there — were  in  the  room. 

"  '  I  say,  Phil,  who  is  he  ?  '  inquired  Casey  of  the 
waiter. 

'  "  Counsellor  Mills,  Captain,'  said  the  waiter,  and  left 
the  room. 

*  "  That's  your  friend,'  said  Casey. 

" '  1  see,'  said  I ;  '  and  I  wish  with  all  my  heart  he 
was  at  home  with  his  pretty  wife,  in  Leeson  Street.' 

"  '  Is  she  good-looking?'  inquired  Tirn. 

"  '  Devil  a  better,'  said  I ;  '  and  he's  as  jealous  as  Old 
Nick.' 

"  '  Hem,'  said  Tim  ;  '  mind  your  cue,  and  I'll  give  him 
a  start.'  Here  he  suddenly  changed  his  whispering  tone 
for  one  in  a  louder  key,  and  resumed:  'I  say,  Power,  it 
will  make  some  work  for  you  lawyers.  But  who  can  she 
be  ?  that's  the  question.'  Here  he  took  a  much  crumpled 
letter  from  his  pocket,  and  pretended  to  read :  ' "  A 
great  sensation  was  created  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
Merrion  Square,  yesterday,  by  the  sudden  disappearance 

from  her  house  of  the  handsome   Mrs. "     Confound 

it — what's  the  name  ? — what  a  hand  he  writes  ?  Hill  or 
Miles,  or  something  like  that — "the  lady  of  an  eminent 
barrister,  now  on  circuit.  The  gay  Lothario  is,  they  say, 

the  Hon.  George  • "  '     I  was  so  thunderstruck  at  the 

rashness  of  the  stroke,  I  could  say  nothing  ;  while  the  old 
gentleman  started  as  if  he  had  sat  down  on  a  pin.  Casey, 
meanwhile,  went  on. 

"  '  Hell  and  fury ! '  said  the  king's  counsel,  rushing 
over,  '  what  is  it  you're  saying  ? ' 

"  '  Yon  appear  warm,  old  gentleman,'  said  Casey,  putting 
up  the  letter,  and  rising  from  the  table. 

"  '  Show  me  that  letter — show  me  that  infernal  letter, 
sir,  this  instant ! ' 

"  '  Show  you  my  letter,'  said  Casey  ;  '  cool,  that,  acy- 
how.  You  are,  certainly,  a  good  one.' 

"'Do  you  know  me,  sir  ?  answer  me  that,'  said  the 
lawyer,  bursting  with  passion. 

"'Not  at  present,'  said  Tim,  quietly ;  *  but  I  hope  to  do 
so  in  the  morning,  in  explanation  of  your  language  and 


CAPTAIN    POWEB.  117 

conduci.'  A  tremendous  ringing  of  the  bell  here  sum- 
moned the  waiter  to  the  room. 

"  '  Who  is  that ?  '  inquired  the  lawyer.  The  epithet 

he  judged  it  safe  to  leave  unsaid,  as  he  pointed  to  Casey. 

'* '  Captain  Casey,  sir  ;  the  commanding  officer  here.' 

" '  Just  so,'  said  Casey ;  '  and  very  much  at  your  service, 
any  hour  after  five  in  the  morning.' 

"  '  Then  you  refuse,  sir,  to  explain  the  paragraph  I  have 
just  heard  you  read  ?  ' 

"  '  Well  done,  old  gentleman  ;  so  you  have  been  listening 
to  a  private  conversation  I  held  with  my  friend  here.  In 
that  case  we  had  better  retire  to  our  room.'  So  saying, 
he  ordered  the  waiter  to  send  a  fresh  bottle  and  glasses  to 
No.  14,  and,  taking  my  arm,  very  politely  wished  Mr. 
Mills  good  night,  and  left  the  coffee-room. 

"  Before  we  had  reached  the  top  of  the  stairs  the  house 
was  once  more  in  commotion.  The  new  arrival  had  ordered 
out  fresh  horses,  and  was  hurrying  every  one  in  his  im- 
patience to  get  away.  In  ten  minutes  the  chaise  rolled 
off  from  the  door,  and  Casey,  putting  his  head  out  of  the 
window,  wished  him  a  pleasant  journey ;  while  turning  to 
me,  he  said, — 

" '  There's  one  of  them  out  of  the  way  for  you,  if  we 
are  even  obliged  to  fight  the  other.' 

"  The  port  was  soon  despatched,  and  with  it  went  all 
the  scruples  of  conscience  I  had  at  first  felt  for  the  cruel 
ruse  we  had  just  practised.  Scarcely  was  the  other  bottle 
called  for,  when  we  heard  the  landlord  calling  out  in  a 
stentorian  voice, — 

" '  Two  horses,  for  Goran  Bridge,  to  meet  Counsellor 
Kinshella ' 

"  *  That's  the  other  fellow  ?  '  said  Casey. 

'"It  is,'  said  I. 

"'Then  we  must  be  stirring,'  said  he.  *  Waiter,  chaise 
and  pair  in  five  minutes — d'ye  hear  ?  Power,  my  boy, 
I  don't  want  you  ;  stay  here,  and  study  your  brief?  It's 
little  trouble  Counsellor  Kinshella  will  give  you  in  the 
morning.' 

"  All  he  would  tell  me  of  his  plan  was,  that  he  didn't 
mean  any  serious  bodily  harm  to  the  counsellor,  but  that 
certainly  he  was  not  likely  to  be  heard  of  for  twenty-four 
hours. 


118  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

"  '  Meanwhile,  Power,  go  in  and  win,  my  boy,'  said  he ; 
'such  another  walk  over  may  never  occur.' 

"  I  must  not  make  my  story  longer.  The  next  morning, 
the  great  record  of  Monaghan  ».  M'Shean  was  called  on, 
and,  as  the  senior  counsel  were  not  present,  the  attorney 
wished  a  postponement.  I,  however,  was  firm ;  told  the 
court  I  was  quite  prepared,  and  with  such  an  air  of 
assurance  that  I  actually  puzzled  the  attorney.  The  case 
was  accordingly  opened  by  me  in  a  very  brilliant  speech, 
and  the  witnesses  called;  but  such  was  my  unlucky 
ignorance  of  the  whole  matter,  that  I  actually  broke 
down  the  testimony  of  our  own,  and  fought  like  a  Trojan 
for  the  credit  and  character  of  the  perjurers  against  us  ! 
The  judge  rubbed  his  eyes — the  jury  looked  amazed — and 
the  whole  bar  laughed  outright.  However,  on  I  went, 
blundering,  floundering,  and  foundering  at  every  step, 
and,  at  half-past  four,  amid  the  greatest  and  most  up- 
roarious mirth  of  the  whole  court,  heard  the  jury  deliver 
a  verdict  against  us  just  as  old  Kinshella  rushed  into  the 
court,  covered  with  mud  and  spattered  with  clay.  He 
had  been  sent  for  twenty  miles  to  make  a  will  for  Mr. 
Daly  of  Daly's  Mount,  who  was  supposed  to  be  at  the 
point  of  death,  but  who,  on  his  arrival,  threatened  to 
shoot  him  for  causing  an  alarm  to  his  family  by  such  an 
imputation. 

"  The  rest  is  soon  told.  They  moved  for  a  new  trial, 
and  I  moved  out  of  the  profession.  I  cut  the  bar,  for  it 
cut  me.  I  joined  the  gallant  14th  as  a  volunteer,  and 
here  I  am  without  a  single  regret,  I  must  confess,  that 
I  didn't  succeed  in  the  great  record  of  Monaghan  v. 
M'Shean." 

Onee  more  the  claret  went  briskly  round,  and  while 
we  canvassed  Power's  story,  many  an  anecdote  of  military 
life  was  told,  as  every  instant  increased  the  charm  of  that 
career  I  longed  for. 

"  Another  cooper,  Major,"  said  Power. 

"  With  all  my  heart,  said  the  rosy  little  officer,  as  he 
touched  the  bell  behind  him ;  "  and  now  let's  have  a  song." 

"  Yes,  Power,"  said  three  or  four  together,  "  let  us  have 
'  The  Irish  Dragoon,'  if  it's  only  to  convert  your  friend 
O'Malley  there." 

"  Here  goes,  then,*'  said  Dick,  taking  off  a  bumper  as  he 


CAPTAIN   POWER.  119 

began  the  following  chant  to  the  air  of  M  Love  is  the  soul 
of  a  gay  Irishman :  " 

"THE  IRISH  DRAGOON. 

"  Oh  love  is  the  soul  of  an  Irish  Dragoon, 
In  battle,  in  bivouac,  or  in  saloon — 

From  the  tip  of  his  spur  to  his  bright  sabretasche. 
With  his  sold  icrly  gait  and  his  bearing  so  high, 
His  gay  lau piling  look,  and  his  light  speaking  eye, 
He  frowns  at  liis  rivals,  he  ogles  his  wench, 
He  springs  in  his  saddle  and  chasses  the  French — 

With  his  jingling  spur  and  his  bright  sabretasche. 

**  His  spirits  are  high,  and  he  little  knows  care, 
Whether  sipping  his  claret,  or  charging  a  square—- 
With his  jingling  spur  and  his  bright  sabretasche. 
As  ready  to  sing  or  to  skirmish  he's  found, 
To  take  off  his  wine,  or  to  take  up  his  ground  ; 
When  the  bugle  may  call  him,  how  littie  he  fears, 
To  charge  forth  in  column,  and  beat  the  Mounseers— 
With  his  jingling  spur  and  his  bright  sabretasche. 

"  When  the  battle  is  over,  he  gaily  rides  back 
To  cheer  every  soul  in  the  night  bivouac  — 

With  his  jingling  spur  and  his  bright  sabretasche. 
Oh  I  there  you  may  see  him  iu  full  glory  crown  d, 
As  be  sits  'mid  his  friends  on  the  hardly  won  ground) 
And  hear  with  what  feeling  the  toast  he  will  give, 
As  he  drinks  to  the  land  where  all  Irishmen  live  — 
With  his  jingling  spur  and  his  bright  sabretasche." 

It  was  late  when  we  broke  up;  but  among  all  the 
recollections  of  that  pleasant  evening,  none  clung  to  me 
so  forcibly,  none  sank  so  deeply  in  my  heart  as  the  gay 
and  careless  tone  of  Power's  manly  voice ;  and  as  I  fell 
asleep  towards  morning,  the  words  of  "  The  Irish  Dra- 
goon "  were  floating  through  my  mind,  and  followed  me 
in  my  dreams. 


120  CHARLES    0' MALLET. 


CHAPTER  XVL 

THE  VICK-PROVOST. 

I  HAD  now  been  for  some  weeks  a  resident  within  the  walls 
of  the  University,  and  yet  had  never  presented  my  letter 
of  introduction  to  Dr.  Barret.  Somehow,  my  thoughts 
and  occupations  had  left  me  little  leisure  to  reflect  upon 
my  college  course,  and  I  had  not  felt  the  necessity  sug- 
gested by  my  friend  Sir  Harry,  of  having  a  supporter  in 
the  very  learned  and  gifted  individual  to  whom  I  was 
accredited.  How  long  I  might  have  continued  in  this 
state  of  indifference,  it  is  hard  to  say,  when  chance  brought 
about  my  acquaintance  with  the  doctor. 

Were  I  not  inditing  a  true  history  in  this  narrative  of 
my  life,  to  the  events  and  characters  of  which  so  many  are 
living  witnesses,  I  should  certainly  fear  to  attempt  any- 
thing like  a  description  of  this  very  remarkable  man,  so 
liable  would  any  sketch,  however  faint  and  imperfect,  be, 
to  the  accusation  of  caricature,  when  all  was  so  singular 
and  so  eccentric. 

Dr.  Barret  was,  at  the  time  I  speak  of,  close  upon 
seventy  years  of"  age,  scarcely  five  feet  in  height,  and  even 
that  diminutive  stature  lessened  by  a  stoop.  His  face  was 
thin,  pointed,  and  russet-coloured  ;  his  nose  so  aquiline 
as  nearly  to  meet  his  projecting  chin,  and  his  small  grey 
eyes,  red  and  bleary,  peered  beneath  his  well-worn  cap, 
with  a  glance  of  mingled  fear  and  suspicion.  His  dress 
was  a  suit  of  the  rustiest  black,  threadbare,  and  patched 
in  several  places,  while  a  pair  of  large  brown  leather 
slippers,  far  too  big  for  his  feet,  imparted  a  sliding  motion 
to  his  walk,  that  added  an  air  of  indescribable  meanness 
to  his  appearance  ;  a  gown  that  had  been  worn  for  twenty 
years,  browned  and  coated  with  the  learned  dust  of  the 
Fagel,  covered  his  rusty  habiliments,  and  completed  the 
equipments  of  a  figure  that  it  was  somewhat  difficult  for 
the  young  student  to  recognize  as  the  Vice- Provost  of  the 
University.  Such  was  he  in  externals.  Within,  a  greater 


THE    VICE-PROVOST.  121 

or  more  profound  scholar  never  graced  the  walls  of  the 
college ;  a  distinguished  Grecian,  learned  in  all  the  refine- 
ments of  a  hundred  dialects  ;  a  deep  Orientalist,  cunning 
in  all  the  varieties  of  Eastern  languages,  and  able  to 
reason  with  a  Moonshee,  or  chat  with  a  Persian  ambas- 
sador. With  a  mind  that  never  ceased  acquiring,  he 
possessed  a  memory  ridiculous  for  its  retentiveness  even 
of  trifles;  no  character  in  history,  no  event  in  chronology, 
was  unknown  to  him,  and  he  was  referred  to  by  his  con- 
temporaries for  information  in  doubtful  and  disputed  cases, 
as  men  consult  a  lexicon  or  dictionary.  With  an  intellect 
thus  stored  with  deep  and  far-sought  knowledge,  in  the 
affairs  of  the  world  he  was  a  child.  Without  the  walls  of 
the  college,  for  above  forty  years,  he  had  not  ventured  half 
as  many  times,  and  knew  absolutely  nothing  of  the  busy, 
active  world  that  fussed  and  fumed  so  near  him ;  his 
farthest  excursion  was  to  the  Bank  of  Ireland,  to  which 
he  made  occasional  visits  to  fund  the  ample  income  of  his 
office,  and  add  to  the  wealth  which  already  had  acquired 
for  him  a  well-merited  repute  of  being  the  richest  man 
in  college. 

His  little  intercourse  with  the  world  had  left  him,  in  all 
his  habits  and  manners,  in  every  respect  exactly  as  when 
he  entered  college,  nearly  half  a  century  before ;  and  as 
he  had  literally  risen  from  the  ranks  in  the  University, 
all  the  peculiarities  of  voice,  accent,  and  pronunciation 
which  distinguished  him  as  a  youth,  adhered  to  him  in  old 
age.  This  was  singular  enough,  and  formed  a  very 
ludicrous  contrast  with  the  learned  and  deep-read  tone  of 
his  conversation  ;  but  another  peculiarity,  still  more 
striking,  belonged  to  him.  When  he  became  a  fellow,  he 
was  obliged,  by  the  rules  of  the  college,  to  take  holy  orders 
as  a  sine  qua  non  to  his  holding  his  fellowship:  this  he 
did,  as  he  would  have  assumed  a  red  hood  or  blue  one,  as 
bachelor  of  laws,  or  doctor  of  medicine,  and  thought  no 
more  of  it ;  but,  frequently,  in  his  moments  of  passionate 
excitement,  the  venerable  character  with  which  he  was 
invested  was  quite  forgotten,  and  he  would  utter  some 
sudden  and  terrific  oath,  more  productive  of  mirth  to  his 
auditors  than  was  seemly,  and  for  which,  once  spoken,  the 
poor  Doctor  felt  the  greatest  shame  and  contrition.  These 
oaths  were  no  less  singular  than  forcible,  and  many  a  trick 


122  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

was  practised,  and  many  a  plan  devised,  that  the  learned 
Vice-Provost  might  be  entrapped  into  his  favourite  excla- 
mation of  "  May  the  devil  admire  me !  "  which  no  place  or 
presence  could  restrain. 

My  servant,  Mike,  who  had  not  been  long  in  making 
himself  acquainted  with  all  the  originals  about  him,  was 
the  cause  of  my  first  meeting  the  Doctor,  before  whom 
I  received  a  summons  to  appear,  on  the  very  serious 
charge  of  treating  with  disrespect  the  heads  of  the  col- 
lege. 

The  circumstances  were  shortly  these : — Mike  had, 
among  the  other  gossip  of  the  place,  heard  frequent  tales 
of  the  immense  wealth  and  great  parsimony  of  the  Doctor ; 
of  his  anxiety  to  amass  money  on  all  occasions,  and  the 
avidity  with  which  even  the  smallest  trifle  was  added  to 
his  gains.  He  accordingly  resolved  to  amuse  himself  at 
the  expense  of  this  trait,  and  proceeded  thus: — Boring  a 
hole  in  a  halfpenny,  he  attached  a  long  string  to  it, 
and,  having  dropped  it  on  the  Doctor's  step,  stationed 
himself  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  court,  concealed  from 
view  bj  the  angle  of  the  commons'  wall.  He  waited 
patiently  for  the  chapel  bell,  at  the  first  toll  of  which 
the  door  opened,  and  the  Doctor  issued  forth.  Scarcely 
was  his  foot  upon  the  step,  when  he  saw  the  piece  of 
money,  and  as  quickly  stooped  to  seize  it ;  but  just  as 
his  finger  had  nearly  touched  it,  it  evaded  his  grusp,  and 
slowly  retreated.  He  tried  again,  but  with  the  like 
success.  At  last,  thinking  he  miscalculated  the  distance, 
he  knelt  leisurely  down,  and  put  forth  his  hand ;  but 
lo !  it  again  escaped  him ;  on  which,  slowly  rising  from 
his  posture,  he  shambled  on  towards  the  chapel,  where 
meeting  the  senior  lecturer  at  the  door,  he  cried  out, 
"  H —  to  my  soul,  Wall,  but  I  saw  the  halfpenny  walk 
away ! " 

For  the  sake  of  the  grave  character  whom  he  addressed, 
I  need  not  recount  how  such  a  speech  was  received ;  suffice 
it  to  say,  that  Mike  had  been  seen  by  a  college  porter,  who 
reported  him  as  my  servant* 

I  was  in  the  very  act  of  relating  the  anecdote  to  a 
large  party  at  breakfast  in  my  rooms,  when  a  summons 
arrived  requiring  my  immediate  attendance  at  the  Board, 
then  sitting  in  solemn  conclave  at  the  examination-hall. 


THE    VICE- PRO  YOST.  123 

I  accordingly  assumed  my  academic  costume  as  speedily 
as  possible,  and,  escorted  by  that  most  august  functionary, 
Mr.  M'Alister,  presented  myself  before  the  seniors. 

The  members  of  the  Board,  with  the  Provost  at  their 
head,  were  seated  at  a  long  oak  table,  covered  with  books, 
papers,  &c.,  and  from  the  silence  they  maintained,  as  I 
walked  up  the  hall,  I  argued  that  a  very  solemn  scene  was 
before  me. 

"  Mr.  O'Mailey,"  said  the  Dean,  reading  my  name  from 
a  paper  he  held  in  his  hand,  *'  you  have  been  summoned 
here  at  the  desire  of  the  Vice- Provost,  whose  questions  you 
will  reply  to." 

I  bowed.  A  silence  of  a  few  minutes  followed,  when, 
at  length,  the  learned  Doctor,  hitching  up  his  nether 
garments  with  both  hands,  put  his  old  and  bleary  eyes 
close  to  my  face,  while  he  croaked  out,  with  an  accent 
that  no  hackney-coachman  could  have  exceeded  in  vul- 
garity,— 

"  Eh,  O'Mailey  ;  you're  quartus,  I  believe ;  a'n't 
you  ?  " 

"  I  believe  not.  I  think  I  am  the  only  person  of  that 
name  now  on  the  books." 

"  That's  thrue :  but  there  were  three  O'Malleys  be- 
fore you.  Godfrey  O'Mailey,  that  construed  Galve  Neroni 
to  Xero  the  Calvinist — ha  !  ha !  ha  ! — was  cautioned  ir 
1788." 

"  My  uncle,  I  believe,  sir." 

"  More  than  likely,  from  what  I  hear  of  you — Ex  uno 
&c.  I  see  your  name  every  day  on  the  punishment 
roll.  Late  hours,  never  at  chapel,  seldom  at  morning 
lecture.  Here  ye  are,  sixteen  shillings,  wearing  a  red 
coat." 

"  Never  knew  any  harm  in  that,  Doctor.* 

"  Ay,  but  d'ye  see  me,  now  ?  '  Grave  raiment,'  says 
the  statute.  And  then,  ye  keep  numerous  beasts  of 
prey,  dangerous  in  their  habits,  and  unseemly  to  behold." 

"  A  bull  terrier,  sir,  and  two  game-cocks,  are,  I  assure 
yon,  the  only  animals  in  my  household." 

"  Well,  I'll  fine  you  for  it." 

"  I  believe,  Doctor,"  said  the  Dean,  interrupting,  in  an 
under  tone,  "  that  you  cannot  impose  a  penalty  in  thii 
matter." 


124  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

"  Ay,  but  I  can.  '  Singing-birds,'  says  the  statute,  '  are 
forbidden  within  the  walls.'  " 

"And  then,  ye  dazzled  my  eyes  at  commons,  with  a  bit 
of  looking-glass,  on  Friday.  I  saw  you.  May  the  devil — 

ahem  ! As  I  was  saying,  that's  casting  reflections  on 

the  heads  of  the  college  ;  and  your  servant  it  was,  Micliaelis 
Liber,  Mickey  Free — may  the  flames  of — ahem  ! — an  inso- 
lent varlet !  called  me  a  sweep." 

"  You,  Doctor ;  impossible !  "  said  I,  with  pretended 
horror. 

"  Ay,  but  d'ye  see  me,  now  ?  It's  thrue,  for  I  looked 
about  me  at  the  time,  and  there  wasn't  another  sweep  in 
the  place  but  myself.  Hell  to — I  mean — God  forgive  me 
for  swearing !  but  I'll  fine  you  a  pound  for  this." 

As  I  saw  the  Doctor  was  getting  on  at  such  a  pace,  I 
resolved,  notwithstanding  the  august  presence  of  the 
Board,  to  try  the  efficacy  of  Sir  Harry's  letter  of  intro- 
duction, which  I  had  taken  in  my  pocket,  in  the  event  of 
its  being  wanted. 

"  I  beg  your  pardon,  sir,  if  the  time  be  an  unsuitable 
one  ;  but  may  I  take  the  opportur.ity  of  presenting  this 
letter  to  you  ?  " 

"  Ha !  I  know  the  hand — Boyle's.  Boyle  secundus 
Hem,  ha,  ay  !  *  My  young  friend  ;  and  assist  him  by  your 
advice.'  To  be  sure  !  Oh !  of  course.  Eh,  tell  me,  young 
man,  did  Boyle  say  nothing  to  you  about  the  copy  of 
Erasmus,  bound  in  vellum,  that  I  sold  him  in  Trinity 
term,  1782?" 

"  I  rather  think  not,  sir,"  said  I,  doubtfully. 

**  Well,  then,  he  might.  He  owes  me  two-and-fourpence 
of  the  balance." 

"  Oh !  I  beg  pardon,  sir ;  I  now  remember  he  desired 
me  to  repay  you  that  sum ;  but  he  had  just  sealed  the 
letter  when  he  recollected  it." 

"  Fetter  late  than  never,"  said  the  Doctor,  smiling 
graciously.  "Where's  the  money?  Ay!  half-a-crown. 
I  haven't  twopence — never  mind.  Go  away,  young  man  ; 
the  case  is  dismissed.  Vehementer  miror  quart  hue  venisti. 
You're  more  fit  for  anything  than  a  college  life.  Keep 
good  hours ;  mind  the  terms ;  and  dismiss  Michaelis  Liber. 

Ha,  ha,  ha !     May  the  devil ! — hem ! — that  is,  do " 

So  saying,  the  little  Doctor's  hand  pushed  me  from  the 


THE    VICE-PROVOST.  125 

hall,  his  mind  evidently  relieved  of  all  the  griefs  from 
which  he  had  been  suffering,  by  the  recovery  of  his  long 
lost  two-and-fourpence. 

Such  was  my  first  and  last  interview  with  the  Vice- 
Provosi.,  ^tid  it  made  an  impression  upon  me  that  all  the 
intervening  ycaio  h*ve  neither  dimmed  nor  erased. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

IRIHITT  COLLEGE — A  LECTURB. 

I  HAD  not  been  many  weeks  a  resident  of  Old  Trinity  ere 
the  flattering  reputation  my  chum,  Mr.  Francis  Webber, 
had  acquired,  extended  also  to  myself;  and,  by  universal 
consent,  we  were  acknowledged  the  most  riotous,  ill-con- 
ducted, disorderly  men  on  the  books  of  the  University. 
Were  the  lamps  of  the  squares  extinguished,  and  the 
college  left  in  total  darkness,  we  were  summoned  before 
the  Dean ;  was  the  Vice-Provost  serenaded  with  a  chorus 
of  trombones  and  French  horns,  to  our  taste  in  music  was 
the  attention  ascribed ;  did  a  sudden  alarm  of  fire  disturb 
the  congregation  at  morning  chapel,  Messrs.  Webber  and 
O'Malley  were  brought  before  the  Board ;  and  I  must  do 
them  the  justice  to  say  that  the  most  trifling  circum- 
stantial evidence  was  ever  sufficient  to  bring  a  conviction. 
Reading  men  avoided  the  building  where  we  resided  as 
they  would  have  done  the  plague.  Our  doors,  like  those 
of  a  certain  classic  precinct  commemorated  by  a  Latin 
writer,  lay  open  night  and  day ;  while  moustached  dragoons, 
knowingly  dressed  four-in-hand  men,  fox-hunters  in  pink 
issuing  forth  to  the  Dubber,  or  returning  splashed  from 
a  run  with  the  Kildare  hounds,  were  everlastingly  seen 
passing  and  repassing.  Within,  the  noise  and  confusion 
rajcmbled  rather  the  mess-room  of  a  regiment  towards 


126  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

eleven  at  night  than  the  chambers  of  a  college  student; 
while,  with  the  double  object  of  affecting  to  be  in  ill  health, 
and  to  avoid  the  reflections  that  daylight  occasionally 
inspires,  the  shutters  were  never  opened,  but  lamps  and 
candles  kept  always  burning.  Such  was  No.  2,  Old  Square, 
in  the  goodly  days  I  write  of.  All  the  terrors  of  fines  and 
punishments  fell  scathless  on  the  head  of  my  worthy  chum. 
In  fact,  like  a  well-known  political  character,  whose 
pleasure  and  amusement  it  has  been  for  some  years  past 
to  drive  through  acts  of  Parliament  and  deride  the  powers 
of  the  law,  so  did  Mr.  Webber  tread  his  way,  serpenting 
through  the  statute-book,  ever  grazing,  but  rarely  tres- 
passing upon  some  forbidden  ground,  which  might  involve 
the  great  punishment  of  expulsion.  So  expert,  too,  had 
he  become  in  his  special  pleadings,  so  dexterous  in  the 
law  of  the  University,  that  it  was  no  easy  matter  to  bring 
crime  home  to  him ;  and  even  when  this  was  done,  his 
pleas  of  mitigation  rarely  failed  of  success. 

There  was  a  sweetness  of  demean-our,  a  mild,  subdued 
tone  about  him,  that  constantly  puzzled  the  worthy  heads 
of  the  college  how  the  accusations  ever  brought  against 
him  could  be  founded  on  truth ;  that  the  pale,  delicate- 
looking  student,  whose  harsh,  hacking  cough  terrified  the 
hearers,  could  be  the  boisterous  performer  upon  a  key- 
bugle,  or  the  terrific  assailant  of  watchmen,  was  something 
too  absurd  for  belief;  and  when  Mr.  Webber,  with  his 
hand  upon  his  heart,  and  in  his  most  dulcet  accents, 
assured  them  that  the  hours  he  was  not  engaged  in  read- 
ing for  the  medal  were  passed  in  the  soothing  society  of 
a  few  select  and  intimate  friends  of  literary  tastes  and 
refined  minds,  who  knowing  the  delicacy  of  his  health — 
here  he  would  cough — were  kind  enough  to  sit  with  him 
for  an  hour  or  so  in  the  evening,  the  delusion  was  perfect ; 
and  the  story  of  the  Dean's  riotous  habits  having  got 
Abroad,  the  charge  was  usually  suppressed. 

Lake  most  idle  men,  Webber  never  had  a  moment  to 
spare.  Except  read,  there  was  nothing  he  did  not  do ; 
training  a  hack  for  a  race  in  the  Phoenix — arranging  a 
rowing-match — getting  up  a  mock  duel  between  two 
white-feather  acquaintances,  were  his  almost  daily  avoca- 
tions. Besides  that,  he  was  at  the  head  of  many  organized 
societies,  instituted  for  various  benevolent  purposes.  One 


TRINITY   COLLEGE A    LECTURE.  127 

was  called  "  The  Association  for  Discountenancing  Watch- 
men ;"  another  "  The  Board  of  Works,"  wbose  object  was 
principally  devoted  to  the  embellishment  of  the  University, 
in  which,  to  do  them  justice,  their  labours  were  unceasing, 
and  what  with  the  assistance  of  some  black  paint,  a  ladder, 
and  a  few  pounds  of  gunpowder,  they  certainly  contrived 
to  effect  many  important  changes.  Upon  an  examination 
morning,  some  hundred  luckless  "jibs"  might  be  seen 
perambulating  the  courts,  in  the  vain  effort  to  discover 
their  tutors'  chambers,  the  names  having  undergone  an 
alteration  that  left  all  trace  of  their  original  proprietors 
unattainable ;  Doctor  Francis  Mooney  having  become 
Doctor  Full  Moon — Doctor  Hare  being,  by  the  change  of 
two  letters,  Doctor  Ape — Romney  Robinson,  Romulus  and 
Remus,  &c.  While,  upon  occasions  like  these,  there  could 
be  but  little  doubt  of  Master  Frank's  intentions,  upon 
many  others,  so  subtle  were  his  inventions,  so  well-contrived 
his  plots,  it  became  a  matter  of  considerable  difficulty  to 
say  whether  the  mishap  which  befel  some  luckless  acquaint- 
ance were  the  result  of  design  or  mere  accident ;  and  not 
unfrequently  well-disposed  individuals  were  found  con- 
doling with  "  Poor  Frank  !  "  upon  his  ignorance  of  some 
college  rule  or  etiquette,  his  breach  of  which  had  been 
long  and  deliberately  planned.  Of  this  latter  description 
was  a  circumstance  which  occurred  about  this  time,  and 
which  some  who  may  throw  an  eye  over  these  pages  will 
perhaps  remember. 

The  Dean  having  heard  (and,  indeed,  the  preparations 
were  not  intended  to  secure  secrecy)  that  Webber  destined 
to  entertain  a  party  of  his  friends  at  dinner  on  a  certain 
day,  sent  a  most  peremptory  order  for  his  appearance  at 
commons,  his  name  being  erased  from  the  sick  list,  and  a 
pretty  strong  hint  conveyed  to  him  that  any  evasion  upon 
his  part  would  be  certainly  followed  by  an  inquiry  into  the 
real  reasons  for  his  absence.  What  was  to  be  done  ?  That 
was  the  very  day  he  had  destined  for  his  dinner.  To  be 
sure,  the  majority  of  his  guests  were  college  men,  who 
would  understand  the  difficulty  at  once  ;  but  still  there 
were  some  others,  officers  of  the  14th,  with  whom  he  was 
constantly  dining,  and  whom  he  could  not  so  easily  put  off. 
The  affair  was  difficult,  but  still  Webber  was  the  man  for 
a  difficulty ;  in  fact,  he  rather  liked  one.  A  very  brief 


128  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

consideration  accordingly  sufficed,  and  he  sat  dowa  and 
wrote  to  his  friends  at  the  Royal  Barracks  thus : — 

"  DEAR  POWER, — I  have  a  better  plan  for  Tuesday  than 
that  I  had  proposed.  Lunch  here  at  three — (we'll  call  it 
dinner) — in  the  hall  with  the  great  guns  :  I  can't  say  much 
for  the  grub,  but  the  company — glorious !  After  that  we'll 
start  for  Lucan  in  the  drag — take  our  coffee,  strawberries, 
&c.,  and  return  to  No.  2,  for  supper  at  ten.  Advertise 
your  fellows  of  this  change,  and  believe  me, 

"  Most  unchangeably  yours, 

"  FRANK  WEBBER. 
"Saturday." 

Accordingly,  as  three  o'clock  struck,  sir  dashing-looking 
light  dragoons  were  seen  slowly  sauntering  up  the  middle 
of  the  dining-hall,  escorted  by  Webber,  who,  in  full  aca- 
demic costume,  was  leisurely  ciceroning  his  friends,  and 
expatiating  upon  the  excellencies  of  the  very  remarkable 
portraits  which  graced  the  walls. 

The  porters  looked  on  with  some  surprise  at  the  singular 
hour  selected  for  sight-seeing,  but  what  was  their  astonish- 
ment to  find  that  the  party,  having  arrived  at  the  end  of 
the  hall,  instead  of  turning  back  again,  very  composedly 
unbuckled  their  belts,  and  having  disposed  of  their  sabres 
in  a  corner,  took  their  places  at  the  fellows'  table,  and  sat 
down  amid  the  collective  wisdom  of  Greek  Lecturers  and 
Regius  Professors,  as  though  they  had  been  mere  mortals 
like  themselves. 

Scarcely  was  the  long  Latin  grace  concluded,  when 
Webber,  leaning  forward,  enjoined  his  friends,  in  a  very 
audible  whisper,  that  if  they  intended  to  dine,  no  time  was 
to  be  lost. 

"  We  have  but  little  ceremony  here,  gentlemen,  and  all 
we  ask  is  a  fair  start,"  said  he,  as  he  drew  over  the  soup, 
and  proceeded  to  help  himself. 

The  advice  was  not  thrown  away,  for  each  man,  with  an 
alacrity  a  campaign  usually  teaches,  made  himself  master 
of  some  neighbouring  dish — a  very  quick  interchange  of 
good  things  speedily  following  the  appropriation.  It  was 


TRINITY   COLLEGE A   LECTURE.  129 

in  vain  that  the  Senior  Lecturer  looked  aghast — that  the 
Professor  of  Astronomy  frowned — the  whole  table,  indeed, 
were  thunderstruck,  even  to  the  poor  Vice-Provost  himself, 
who,  albeit  given  to  the  comforts  of  the  table,  could  not 
lift  a  morsel  to  his  mouth,  but  muttered  between  his  teeth 
— "  May  the  devil  admire  me,  but  they're  dragoons  ;  " 
The  first  shock  of  surprise  over,  the  porters  proceeded  to 
inform  them  that  except  fellows  of  the  University  or 
fellow-commoners,  none  were  admitted  to  the  table. 
Webber,  however,  assured  them  that  it  was  a  mistake, 
there  being  nothing  in  the  statute  to  exclude  the  14th 
Light  Dragoons,  as  he  was  prepared  to  prove.  Meanwhile 
dinner  proceeded,  Power  and  his  party  performing  with 
great  self-satisfaction  upon  the  sirloins  and  saddles  about 
them  ;  regretting  only,  from  time  to  time,  that  there  was 
a  most  unaccountable  absence  of  wine,  and  suggesting 
the  propriety  of  napkins  whenever  they  should  dine  there 
again.  Whatever  chagrin  these  unexpected  guests  caused 
among  their  entertainers  of  the  upper  table,  in  the  lower 
part  of  the  hall  the  laughter  was  loud  and  unceasing,  and 
long  before  the  hour  concluded,  the  fellows  took  their 
departure,  leaving  to  Master  Frank  Webber  the  task  of 
doing  the  honours  alone  and  unassisted.  When  summoned 
before  the  Board  for  the  offence  on  the  following  morning, 
Webber  excused  himself  by  throwing  the  blame  upon  his 
friends,  with  whom,  he  said,  nothing  short  of  a  personal 
quarrel — a  thing  for  a  reading  man  not  to  be  thought  of — 
could  have  prevented  intruding  in  the  manner  related. 
Nothing  less  than  his  tact  could  have  saved  him  on  this 
occasion,  and  at  last  he  carried  the  day  ;  while,  by  an  act 
of  the  Board,  the  14th  Light  Dragoons  were  pronounced 
the  most  insolent  corps  in  the  service. 

An  adventure  of  his,  however,  got  wind  about  this  time, 
and  served  to  enlighten  many  persons  as  to  his  real 
character,  who  had  hitherto  been  most  lenient  in  their 
expressions  about  him.  Our  worthy  tutor,  with  a  zeal  for 
our  welfare  far  more  praiseworthy  than  successful,  was  in 
the  habit  of  summoning  to  his  chambers,  on  certain  morn- 
ings of  the  week,  his  various  pupils,  whom  he  lectured  in 
the  books  for  the  approaching  examinations.  Now,  as 
these  seances  were  held  at  six  o'clock  in  winter  as  well 
as  summer,  in  a  cold,  fireless  chamber — the  lecturer  lying 

r 


130  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

8img  amid  his  blankets,  while  we  stood  shivering  around 
the  walls — the  ardour  of  leaiming  must,  indeed,  have 
proved  strong  that  prompted  a  regular  attendance.  AB 
to  Frank,  he  would  have  as  soon  thought  of  attending 
chapel  as  of  presenting  himself  on  such  an  occasion.  Not 
so  with  me.  I  had  not  yet  grown  hackneyed  enough  to 
fly  in  the  face  of  authority,  and  I  frequently  left  (he 
whist-table,  or  broke  off  in  a  song,  to  hurry  over  to  the 
Doctor's  chambers,  and  spout  Homer  and  Hesiod.  I 
suffered  on  in  patience,  till  at  last  the  bore  became  so 
insupportable  that  I  told  my  sorrows  to  my  friend,  who 
listened  to  me  out,  and  promised  me  succour. 

It  so  chanced  that  upon  some  evening  in  each  week  Dr. 
Mooney  was  in  the  habit  of  visiting  some  friends  who 
resided  a  short  distance  from  town,  and  spending  the 
night  at  their  house.  He,  of  course,  did  not  lecture  the 
following  morning — a  paper  placard,  announcing  no  lec- 
ture, being  affixed  to  the  door  on  such  occasions.  Frank 
waited  patiently  till  he  perceived  the  Doctor  affixing  this 
announcement  upon  his  door  one  evening  ;  and  no  sooner 
had  he  left  the  college,  than  he  withdrew  the  paper  and 
departed. 

On  the  next  morning  he  rose  early,  and,  concealing 
himself  on  the  staircase,  waited  the  arrival  of  the  venerable 
damsel  who  acted  as  servant  to  the  Doctor.  No  sooner 
had  she  opened  the  door  and  groped  her  way  into  the 
sitting-room,  than  Frank  crept  forward,  and,  stealing 
gently  into  the  bed-room,  sprung  into  the  bed,  and 
wrapped  himself  up  in  the  blankets.  The  great  bell 
boomed  forth  at  six  o'clock,  and  soon  after  the  sounds  of 
the  feet  were  heard  upon  the  stairs — one  by  one  they 
came  along  -and  gradually  the  room  was  filled  with  cold 
and  shivering  wretches,  more  u,d,n  half  asleep,  and  trying 
to  arouse  themselves  into  an  approach  to  attention. 

"  Who's  there  ? "  said  Frank,  mimicking  the  Doctor's 
voice,  as  he  yawned  three  or  four  times  in  succession,  and 
turned  in  the  bed. 

"  Collisson,  O'Malley,  Nesbitt,"  &c.,  said  a  number  of 
voices,  anxious  to  have  all  the  merit  such  a  penance  could 
confer. 

"  Where's  Webber  ?  " 

"Absent,  sir,"  chorussed  the  whole  party. 


TRINITY   COLLEGE A    LECTURE.  131 

"  Sorry  for  it,"  said  the  mock  Doctor.  "  Webber  is  a 
man  of  first-rate  capacity,  and  were  he  only  to  apply,  I 
am  not  certain  to  what  eminence  his  abilities  might  raise 
him.  Come,  Collisson — any  three  angles  of  a  triangle  are 
equal  to — are  equal  to — what  are  they  equal  to?  "  Here 
he  yawned  as  though  he  would  dislocate  his  jaw. 

"  Any  three  angles  of  a  triangle  are  equal  to  two  right 
angles,"  said  Collisson,  in  the  usual  sing-song  tone  of  a 
freshman. 

As  he  proceeded  to  prove  the  proposition,  his  mono- 
tonoiis  tone  seemed  to  have  lulled  the  Doctor  into  a  doze, 
for  in  a  few  minutes  a  deep  long-drawn  snore  announced 
from  the  closed  curtains  that  he  listened  no  longer.  After 
a  little  time,  however,  a  short  snort  from  the  sleeper 
awoke  him  suddenly,  and  he  called  out, — 

"  Go  on ;  I'm  waiting.  Do  you  think  I  can  arouse  at 
this  hour  of  the  morniijg  for  nothing  but  to  listen  to  your 
bungling  ?  Can  no  one  give  me  a  free  translation  of  the 
passage  ?  " 

This  digression  from  mathematics  to  classics  did  not 
surprise  the  hearers,  though  it  somewhat  confused  them, 
no  one  being  precisely  aware  what  the  line  in  question 
might  be. 

"  Try  it,  Nesbitt — you,  O'Malley — silent  all — really  this 
is  too  bad  I "  An  indistinct  muttering  here  from  the 
crowd  was  followed  by  an  announcement  from  the  Doctor 
that  "  the  speaker  was  an  ass,  and  his  head  a  turnip ! 
Not  one  of  you  capable  of  translating  a  chorus  from 
Euripides — *  Ou,  on,  papai,  papai,'  &c.  ;  which,  after  all, 
means  no  more  than — '  Oh,  whilleleu,  murder,  why  did 
you  die  ? '  &c.  What  are  you  laughing  at,  gentlemen  ? 
May  I  ask,  does  it  become  a  set  of  ignorant,  ill-informed 
savages — yes,  savages,  1  repeat  the  word — to  behave  in 
this  manner?  Webber  is  the  only  man  I  have  witii 
common  intellect — the  only  man  among  you  capable  of 
distinguishing  himself.  But  as  for  you — I'll  bring  you 
before  the  Board — I'll  write  to  your  friends — I'll  stop  your 
college  indulgences — I'll  confine  you  to  the  walls — I'll  be 
damned,  eh " 

This  lapse  confused  him ;  he  stammered,  stuttered,  en- 
deavoured to  recover  himself;  but  by  this  time  we  had 
approached  the  bed,  just  at  the  moment  when  Master 


132  CHARLES  O'MALLET. 

Frank,  well  knowing  what  he  migbt  expect  if  detected, 
had  bolted  from  the  blankets  and  rushed  from  the  room. 
In  an  instant  we  were  in  pursuit ;  but  he  regained  his 
chambers,  and  double-locked  the  door  before  we  could 
overtake  him,  leaving  us  to  ponder  over  the  insolent  tirade 
we  had  so  patiently  submitted  to. 

That  morning  the  affair  got  wind  all  over  college.  As 
for  us,  we  were  scarcely  so  much  laughed  at  as  the  Doctor ; 
the  world  wisely  remembering,  if  such  were  the  nature  of 
our  morning's  orisons,  we  might  nearly  as  profitably  have 
remained  snug  in  our  quarters. 

Such  was  our  life  in  Old  Trinity ;  and  strange  enough 
it  is  that  one  should  feel  tempted  to  the  confession,  but  I 
really  must  acknowledge  these  were,  after  all,  happy  times, 
and  I  look  back  upon  them  with  mingled  pleasure  and  sad- 
ness. The  noble  lord  who  so  pathetically  lamented  that 
the  devil  was  not  so  strong  in  him  as  he  used  to  be  forty 
years  before,  has  an  echo  in  my  regrets,  that  the  student  is 
not  as  young  in  me  as  when  those  scenes  were  enacting  of 
which  I  write. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

IHK   INVITATION — THE  WAGER. 

I  WAS  sitting  at  breakfast  with  Webber,  a  few  mornings 
after  the  mess  dinner  I  have  spoken  of,  when  Power  came 
in  hastily. 

"  Ha,  the  very  man !  "  said  he.  "  I  say,  O'Malley,  here's 
an  invitation  for  you  from  Sir  George,  to  dine  on  Friday. 
He  desired  me  to  say  a  thousand  civil  things  about  his  not 
having  made  you.  out,  regrets  that  he  was  not  at  home 
when  you  called  yesterday,  and  all  that.  By  Jove,  I  know 
nothing  like  the  favour  you  stand  in ;  and,  as  for  Miss 
Dashwood,  faith  !  the  fair  Lucy  blushed,  and  tore  her  glove 


THE    INVITATION THE    WAGER.  133 

in  most  approved  style,  when  the  old  General  began  his 
laudation  of  you." 

"  Pooh,  nonsense,"  said  I ;  "  that  silly  affair  in  the 
west." 

"  Oh,  very  probably  ;  there's  reason  the  less  for  your 
looking  so  excessively  conscious.  But  I  must  tell  you,  in 
all  fairness,  that  you  have  no  chance  ;  nothing  short  of  a 
dragoon  will  go  down." 

"Be  assured,"  said  I,  somewtat  nettled,  "my  preten- 
sions do  not  aspire  to  the  fair  Miss  Dashwood." 

"  Tant  mieux  et  tant  pis,  mon  cker.  I  wish  to  Heaven 
mine  did ;  and,  by  St.  Patrick,  if  I  only  played  the 
knight-errant  half  as  gallantly  as  yourself,  I  would  not 
relinquish  my  claims  to  the  Secretary  at  War  himself." 

"  What  the  devil  brought  the  old  General  down  to  your 
wild  regions  ?  "  inquired  Webber. 

"  To  contest  the  county." 

"  A  bright  thought,  truly.  When  a  man  was  looking 
for  a  seat,  why  not  try  a  place  where  the  law  is  occasionally 
heard  of?" 

"  I'm  sure  I  can  give  you  no  information  on  that  head ; 
nor  have  I  ever  heard  how  Sir  George  came  to  learn  that 
such  a  place  as  Galway  existed." 

"  I  believe  I  can  enlighten  you,"  said  Power.  "  Lady 
Dashwood — rest  her  soul ! — came  west  of  the  Shannon  ; 
she  had  a  large  property  somewhere  in  Mayo,  and  owned 
some  hundred  acres  of  swamp,  with  some  thousand 
starving  tenantry  thereupon,  that  people  dignified  as  an 
estate  in  Connaught.  This  first  suggested  to  him  the 
notion  of  setting  up  for  the  county ;  probably  supposing, 
that  the  people  who  never  paid  in  rent  might  like  to  do 
so  in  gratitude.  How  he  was  undeceived,  O'Malley  there 
can  inform  us.  Indeed,  I  believe  the  worthy  General,  who 
was  confoundedly  hard  up  when  he  married,  expected  to 
have  got  a  great  fortune,  and  little  anticipated  the  three 
Chancery  suits  he  succeeded  to,  nor  the  fourteen  rent- 
charges  to  his  wife's  relatives  that  made  up  the  bulk  of  the 
dower.  It  was  an  unlucky  hit  for  him  when  he  fell  in 
with  the  old  '  maid '  at  Bath  ;  and,  had  she  lived,  he  must 
have  gone  to  the  colonies.  But  the  Lord  took  her  one 
day,  aud  Major  Dashwood  was  himself  again.  The  Duke 
of  York,  the  story  goes,  saw  him  at  Hounslow  during  a 


184  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

review — was  much  struck  with  his  air  and  appearance- 
made  some  inquiries — found  him  to  be  of  excellent  family 
and  irreproachable  conduct — made  him  an  aide-de-camp — 
and,  in  fact,  made  his  fortune.  I  do  not  believe  that, 
while  doing  so  kind,  he  could  by  possibility  have  done  a 
more  popular  thing.  Every  man  in  the  army  rejoiced  at 
his  good  fortune ;  so  that,  after  all,  though  he  has  had 
some  hard  rubs,  he  has  come  well  through,  the  only  vestige 
of  his  unfortunate  matrimonial  connection  being  a  corre- 
spondence kept  up  by  a  maiden  sister  of  his  late  wife's 
with  him.  She  insists  upon  claiming  the  ties  of  kindred 
upon  about  twenty  family  eras  dui-ing  the  year,  when  she 
regularly  writes  a  most  i.oving  and  ill-spelled  epistle,  con- 
taining the  latest  information  from  Mayo,  with  all  particu- 
lars of  the  Macan  family,  of  which  she  is  a  worthy  member. 
To  her  constant  hints  of  the  acceptable  nature  of  certain 
small  remittances,  the  poor  General  is  never  inattentive  ; 
but  to  the  pleasing  prospect  of  a  visit  in  the  flesh  from 
Miss  Judy  Macan,  the  good  man  is  dead.  In  fact,  nothing 
short  of  being  broke  by  a  general  court-martial  could  at 
all  complete  his  sensations  of  horror  at  such  a  stroke  of 
fortune ;  and  I  am  not  certain,  if  choice  were  allowed  him, 
that  he  would  not  prefer  the  latter." 

"  Then  he  has  never  yet  seen  her  ?  "  said  Webber. 

"Never,"  replied  Power;  "  and  he  hopes  to  leave  Ireland 
without  that  blessing,  the  prospect  of  which,  however 
remote  and  unlikely,  has,  I  know  well,  more  than  once 
terrified  him  since  his  arrival." 

"  I  say,  Power,  and  has  your  worthy  General  sent  me  a 
card  for  his  ball  ?  " 

"  Not  through  me,  Master  Frank  ?  " 

"  Well,  now,  I  call  that  devilish  shabby,  do  you  know. 
He  asks  O'Malley  there  from  my  chambers,  and  never 
notices  the  other  man,  the  superior  in  the  firm.  Eh, 
O'Malley,  what  say  you  ?  " 

"  Why,  I  didn't  know  you  were  acquainted." 

"  And  who  said  we  were  ?  It  was  his  fault,  though, 
entirely,  that  we  were  not.  I  am,  as  I  ever  have  been,  the 
most  easy  fellow  in  the  world  on  that  score — never  give 
myself  airs  to  military  people — endure  anything,  every- 
thing— and  you  see  the  result — hard,  ain't  it?  " 

"But,  Webber,  Sir  George  must  really  be  excused  in 


THE   INVITATION — THE   WAGEB.  135 

this  matter.  He  has  a  daughter,  a  most  attractive,  lovely 
daughter,  just  at  that  budding,  unsuspecting  age  when 
the  heart  is  most  susceptible  of  impressions ;  and  where, 
let  me  ask,  could  she  run  such  a  risk  as  in  the  chance 
of  a  casual  meeting  with  the  redoubted  lady-killer,  Master 
Frank  Webber.  If  he  has  not  sought  you  out,  then  here 
be  his  apology." 

"A  very  strong  case,  certainly,"  said  Frank;  "but,  still, 
had  he  confided  his  critical  position  to  my  honour  and 
secrecy,  he  might  have  depended  on  me ;  now,  having 
taken  the  other  line " 

"Well,  what  then?" 

"  Why,  he  must  abide  the  consequences.  I'll  make 
fierce  love  to  Louisa ;  isn't  that  the  name  ?  " 

"  Lucy,  so  please  you." 

"Well,  be  it  so — to  Lucy — talk  the  little  girl  into  a 
most  deplorable  attachment  for  me." 

"  But  how,  may  I  ask,  and  when  ?  " 

"  I'll  begin  at  the  ball,  man." 

**  Why,  I  thought  you  said  you  were  not  going  P  " 

"  There  you  mistake  seriously.  I  merely  said  that  I  had 
not  been  invited." 

"  Then,  of  course,"  said  I,  "  Webber,  you  can't  think  of 
going,  in  any  case,  on  my  account." 

"  My  very  dear  friend,  I  go  entirely  upon  my  own.  I 
not  only  shall  go,  but  I  intend  to  have  most  particular 
notice  and  attention  paid  me.  I  shall  be  prime  favourite 
with  Sir  George — kiss  Lucy " 

"  Come,  come,  this  is  too  strong." 

"  What  do  you  bet  I  don't  ?  There,  now,  I'll  give  you 
a  pony  a  piece,  I  do.  Do  you  say,  done  ?  " 

"  That  you  kiss  Miss  Dashwood,  and  are  not  kicked 
downstairs  for  your  pains ;  are  those  the  terms  of  the 
wager  ?  "  inquired  Power. 

"  With  all  my  heart.  That  I  kiss  Miss  Dashwood,  and 
am  not  kicked  downstairs  for  my  pains." 

"  Then  I  say,  done." 

"  And  with  you  too,  O'Malley  ?  " 

"  I  thank  you,"  said  I,  coldly ;  "  I'm  not  disposed  to 
make  such  a  return  for  Sir  George  Dashwood's  hospitality 
as  to  make  an  insult  to  his  family  the  subject  of  a  bet." 

"Why,  man,  what  are  you  dreaming  of?     Miss  Dash- 


136  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

wood  will  not  refuse  my  cbaste  salute.  Come,  Power,  I'll 
give  you  the  other  pony." 

"Agreed!"  said  he.  "At  the  same  time,  understand 
me  distinctly — that  I  hold  myself  perfectly  eligible  to 
winning  the  wager  by  my  own  interference  ;  for,  if  you 
do  kiss  her,  by  Jove !  I'll  perform  the  remainder  of  the 
compact." 

"  So  I  understand  the  agreement,"  said  Webber,  arrang- 
ing his  curls  before  the  looking-glass.  "  Well,  now,  who's 
for  Howth?  the  drag  will  be  here  in  half  an  hour." 

"  Not  I,"  said  Power ;  "  I  must  return  to  the  barracks." 

"Nor  I,"  said  I,  "for  I  shall  take  this  opportunity  of 
leaving  my  card  at  Sir  George  Dash  wood's." 

"  I  have  won  my  fifty,  however,"  said  Power,  as  we 
walked  out  in  the  courts. 

"  I  am  not  quite  certain- " 

"  Why,  the  devil,  he  would  not  risk  a  broken  neck  for 
that  sum  ;  besides,  if  he  did,  he  loses  the  bet." 

"  He's  a  devilish  keen  fellow." 

"  Let  him  be.  In  any  case  I  am  determined  to  be  on 
my  guard  here." 

So  chatting,  we  strolled  along  to  the  Royal  Hospital, 
when,  having  dropped  my  pasteboard,  I  returned  to  the 
college. 


137 


CHAPTER  XIX. 


often  dressed  for  a  storming  party  with  less  of 
trepidation  than  I  felt  on  the  evening  of  Sir  George  Dash- 
wood's  ball.  Since  the  eventful  day  of  the  election  I  had 
never  seen  Miss  Dashwood ;  therefore,  as  to  what  precise 
position  I  might  occupy  in  her  favour  was  a  matter  of 
great  doubt  in  my  mind,  and  great  import  to  my  happi- 
ness. That  I  myself  loved  her  was  a  matter  of  which  all 
the  badinage  of  my  friends  regarding  her  made  me  pain- 
fully conscious ;  but  that,  in  our  relative  positions,  such 
an  attachment  was  all  but  hopeless,  I  could  not  disguise 
from  myself.  Young  as  I  was,  I  well  know  to  what  a 
heritage  of  debt,  lawsuit,  and  difficulty  I  was  born  to 
succeed.  In  my  own  resources  and  means  of  advance- 
ment I  had  no  confidence  whatever,  had  even  the  pro- 
fession to  which  I  was  destined  been  more  of  my  choice. 
I  daily  felt  that  it  demanded  greater  exertions,  if  not  far 
greater  abilities,  than  I  could  command,  to  make  success 
at  all  likely ;  and  then,  even  if  such  a  result  were  in  store, 
years,  at  least,  must  elapse  before  it  could  happen,  and 
where  would  she  then  be,  and  where  should  I  r1 — where 
the  ardent  affection  I  now  felt  and  gloried  in — perhaps 
all  the  more  for  its  desperate  hopelessness  —  when  the 
sanguine  and  buoyant  spirit  to  combat  with  difficulties 
which  youth  suggests,  and  which  later  manhood  refuses, 
should  have  passed  away  ?  And,  even  if  all  these  survived 
the  toil  and  labour  of  anxious  days  and  painful  nights,  what 
of  her?  Alas  !  I  now  reflected  that,  although  only  of  my 
own  age,  her  manner  to  me  had  taken  all  that  tone  of 
superiority  and  patronage  which  an  elder  assumes  towards 
one  younger,  and  which,  in  the  spirit  of  protection  it  pro- 
ceeds upon,  essentially  bars  up  every  inlet  to  a  dearer  or 
warmer  feeling — at  least,  when  the  lady  plays  the  former 
part.  "  What,  then,  is  to  be  done  ?  "  thought  I.  "  Forget 
her  ? — but,  how  ?  How  shall  I  renounce  all  my  plans,  and 


138  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

unweave  the  web  of  life  I  have  been  spreading  arouud  me 
for  many  a  day,  without  that  one  golden  thread  that  lent 
it  more  than  half  its  brilliancy  and  all  its  attraction  ?  But 
then,  the  alternative  is  even  worse,  if  I  encourage  expecta- 
tions and  nurture  hopes  never  to  be  realized.  Well,  we 
meet  to-night,  after  a  long  and  eventful  absence ;  let  my 
future  fate  be  ruled  by  the  results  of  this  meeting.  1C 
Lucy  Dashwood  does  care  for  me — if  I  can  detect  in  her 
manner  enough  to  show  me  that  my  affection  may  meet  a 
return,  the  whole  effort  of  my  life  shall  be  to  make  her 
mine ;  if  not — if  my  own  feelings  be  all  that  I  have  to 
depend  upon  to  extort  a  reciprocal  affection — then  shall  I 
take  my  last  look  of  her,  and  with  it  the  first  and  brightest 
dream  of  happiness  my  life  has  hitherto  presented." 
****** 

It'  need  not  be  wondered  at  if  the  brilliant  coup  d'xil  of 
the  ball-room,  as  I  entered,  struck  me  with  astonishment, 
accustomed  as  I  had  hitherto  been  to  nothing  more  magni- 
ficent than  an  evening  party  of  sqnires  and  their  squiresses, 
or  the  annual  garrison  ball  at  the  barracks.  The  glare  of 
wax-lights,  the  well-furnished  saloons,  the  glitter  of  uni- 
forms, and  the  blaze  of  plumed  and  jewelled  dames,  with 
the  clang  of  military  music,  was  a  species  of  enchanted 
atmosphere  which,  breathing  for  the  first  time,  rarely  fails 
to  intoxicate.  Never  before  had  I  seen  so  much  beauty : 
lovely  faces,  dressed  in  all  the  seductive  flattery  of  smiles, 
were  on  every  side,  and,  as  I  walked  from  room  to  room, 
I  felt  how  much  more  fatal  to  a  man's  peace  and  heart's 
ease  the  whispered  words  and  silent  glances  of  those  fair 
damsels,  than  all  the  loud  gaiety  and  boisterous  freedom 
of  our  country  belles,  who  sought  to  take  the  heart  by 
storm  and  escalade. 

As  yet  I  had  seen  neither  Sir  George  nor  his  daughter, 
and,  while  I  looked  on  every  side  for  Lucy  Dashwood,  it 
was  with  a  beating  and  anxious  heart  I  longed  to  see  how 
she  would  bear  comparison  with  the  blaze  of  beauty 
around. 

Just  at  this  moment  a  very  gorgeously-dressed  Hussar 
stepped  from  a  doorway  beside  me,  as  if  to  make  a  passage 
for  some  one,  and  the  next  moment  she  appeared  leaning 
upon  the  arm  of  another  lady.  One  look  was  all  that  I 
bad  time  for,  when  she  recognized  me. 


THE   BALL.  189 

"  Ah,  Mr.  O'Malley — how  happy — has  Sir  George — has 
my  father  seen  you  ?" 

"  I  have  only  arrived  this  moment ;  I  trust  he  is  quite 
well?" 

"  Oh  yes,  thank  you        •" 

"  I  beg  your  pardon  with  all  humility,  Miss  Dashwood," 
said  the  Hussar,  in  a  tone  of  the  most  knightly  courtesy, 
"  but  they  are  waiting  for  us." 

"  But,  Captain  Fortescue,  you  must  excuse  me  one 
moment  more.  Mr.  Lechmere,  will  you  do  me  the  kind- 
ness to  find  out  Sir  George  'f  Mr.  O'Malley — Mr.  Lech- 
mere." Here  she  said  something  in  French  to  her  com- 
panion, but  so  rapidly  that  I  could  not  detect  what  it  was, 
but  merely  heard  the  reply — "Pas  mal!" — which,  as  the 
lady  continued  to  canvass  me  most  deliberately  through 
her  eye-glass,  I  supposed  referred  to  me.  '*  And  now, 
Captain  Fortescue "  And  with  a  look  of  most  cour- 
teous kindness  to  me  she  disappeared  in  the  crowd. 

The  gentleman  to  whose  guidance  I  was  entrusted  was 
one  of  the  aides-de-camp,  and  was  not  long  in  finding  Sir 
George.  No  sooner  had  the  good  old  General  heard  my 
name,  than  he  held  out  both  his  hands  and  shook  mine 
most  heartily. 

"  At  last,  O'Malley — at  last  I  am  able  to  thank  yon  for 
the  greatest  service  ever  man  rendered  me.  He  saved 
Lucy,  my  Lord ;  rescued  her  under  circumstances  where 
anything  short  of  his  courage  and  determination  must 
have  cost  her  her  life." 

"  Ah !  very  pretty  indeed,"  said  a  stiff  old  gentle- 
man addressed,  as  he  bowed  a  most  superbly-powdered 
scalp  before  me;  "most  happy  to  make  your  acquaint- 
ance." 

"  Who  is  he  ?  "  added  he  in  nearly  as  loud  a  tone  to  Sir 
George. 

"  Mr.  O'Malley,  of  O'Malley  Castle. 

"  True,  I  forgot — why  is  he  not  in  uniform  ?  " 

"  Because,  unfortunately,  my  Lord,  we  don't  own  him ; 
he's  not  in  the  army." 

"  Ha  !  ha !  thought  he  was." 

"  You  dance,  O'Mally,  I  suppose  ?  I'm  sure  you'd  rather 
be  over  there  than  hearing  all  my  protestations  of  grati- 
tude, sincere  and  heartfelt  as  they  really  are." 

Vol.  30— (6) 


CHARLES    O  MALLEY. 

"  Lechmere,  introduce  my  friend  Mr.  O'Malley ;  get  him 
a  partner." 

I  had  not  followed  my  new  acquaintance  many  steps, 
when  Power  came  up  to  me.  "  I  say,  Charley,"  cried  he, 
"  I  have  been  tormented  to  death  by  half  the  ladies  in  the 
room  to  present  you  to  them,  and  have  been  in  quest  of 
you  this  half  hour.  Your  brilliant  exploit  in  savage  land 
has  made  you  a  regular preux  chevalier;  and  if  you  don't 
trade  on  that  adventure  to  your  most  lasting  profit,  you 
deserve  to  be — a  lawyer.  Come  along  here !  Lady  Muckle- 
man,  the  adjutant-general's  lady  and  chief,  has  four  Scotch 
daughters  you  are  to  dance  with  ;  then,  I  am  to  introduce 
you  in  all  form  to  the  Dean  of  Something's  niece  ;  she  is  a 
good-looking  girl,  and  has  two  livings  in  a  safe  county. 
Then  there's  the  town-major's  wife ;  and,  in  fact,  I  have 
several  engagements  from  this  to  supper-time." 

"  A  thousand  thanks  for  all  your  kindness  in  prospec- 
tive, but  I  think,  perhaps,  it  were  right  I  should  ask  Miss 
Dashwood  to  dance,  if  only  as  a  matter  of  form — you 
understand  ?  " 

"  And,  if  Miss  Dashwood  should  say,  '  With  pleasure, 
sir,'  only  as  a  matter  of  form — you  understand?'  "  said  a 
silvery  voice  beside  me.  I  turned,  and  saw  Lucy  Dash- 
wood,  who,  having  overheard  my  very  free-and-easy  sug- 
gestion, replied  to  me  in  this  manner. 

I  here  blundered  out  my  excuses.  What  I  said,  and 
what  I  did  not  say,  I  do  not  now  remember ;  but,  certainly, 
it  was  her  turn  now  to  blush,  and  her  arm  trembled  within 
mine,  as  I  led  her  to  the  top  of  the  room.  In  the  little 
opportunity  which  our  quadrille  presented  for  conversa- 
tion, I  could  not  help  remarking  that,  after  the  surprise  of 
her  first  meeting  with  me,  Miss  Dashwood's  manner  be- 
came gradually  more  and  more  reserved,  and  that  there 
was  an  evident  struggle  between  her  wish  to  appear  grate- 
ful for  what  had  occurred,  with  a  sense  of  the  necessity  of 
not  incurring  a  greater  degree  of  intimacy.  Such  was  my 
impression,  at  least,  and  such  the  conclusion  I  drew  from 
a  certain  quiet  tone  in  her  manner,  that  went  further  to 
wound  my  feelings  and  mar  my  happiness  than  any  other 
line  of  conduct  towards  me  could  possibly  have  effected. 

Our  quadrille  over,  I  was  about  to  conduct  her  to  a 
•eat,  when  Sir  George  came  hurriedly  up,  his  face  greatly 


THE   BALL.  141 

flushed,  and  betraying  every  semblance  of  high  excite- 
ment. 

"  Dear  papa,  has  anything  occurred  !  pray  what  is  it  ?  " 
inquired  she. 

He  smiled  faintly,  and  replied,  "  Nothing  very  serious, 
my  dear,  that  I  should  alarm  you  in  this  way ;  but,  cer- 
tainly, a  more  disagreeable  contretemps  could  scarcely 
occur." 

"  Do  tell  me  :  what  can  it  be  ?  " 

"  Bead  this,"  said  he,  presenting  a  very  dirty-looking 
note,  which  bore  the  mark  of  a  red  wafer  moat  infernally 
plain  upon  its  outside. 

Miss  Dashwood  unfolded  the  billet,  and,  after  a  moment's 
silence,  instead  of  participating,  as  he  expected,  in  her 
father's  feeling  of  distress,  burst  out  a-laughing,  while  she 
said,  "  Why,  really,  papa,  I  do  not  see  why  this  should  put 
you  out  much,  after  all.  Aunt  may  be  somewhat  of  a 
character,  as  her  note  evinces,  but  after  a  few  days  — 

'*  Nonsense,  child  ;  there's  nothing  in  this  world  I  have 
such  a  dread  of  as  that  confounded  woman — and  to  come 
at  such  a  time." 

"  When  does  she  speak  of  paying  her  visit  ?" 

"  I  knew  you  had  not  read  the  note,"  said  Sir  George, 
hastily ;  "  she's  coming  here  to-night — is  on  her  way  this 
instant,  perhaps.  What  is  to  be  done  ?  If  she  forces  her 
way  in  here,  I  shall  go  deranged  outright.  O'Malley,  my 
boy,  read  this  note,  and  you  will  not  feel  surprised  if  I 
appear  in  the  humour  you  see  me." 

I  took  the  billet  from  the  hands  of  Miss  Dashwood,  and 
read  as  follows  : 

"DEAR  BROTHER, — When  this  reaches  your  ha- 3,  I'll 
not  be  far  off.  I'm  on  my  way  up  to  town,  to  be  under 
Dr.  Dease  for  the  ould  complaint.  Cowley  mistaxes  my 
case  entirely  ;  he  says  it's  nothing  but  religion  anu  wind. 
Father  Magrath,  who  understands  a  good  deal  about 
f  i' in  ales,  thinks  otherwise — but  God  knows  who's  right. 
Expect  me  to  tea,  and,  with  love  to  Lucy,  believe  me  yours, 
in  haste, 

"  JUDITH  MAOAN. 

"  Let  the  sheets  be  well  aired  in  my  room ;  and  if  yon 


142  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

have  a  spare  bed,  perhaps  we  could  prevail  upon  Fathei 
Magrath  to  stop  too." 

I  scarcely  could  contain  my  laughter  till  I  got  to  the 
end  of  this  very  free-and-easy  epistle  ;  when  at  last  I  burst 
forth  in  a  hearty  fit,  in  which  I  was  joined  by  Miss  Dash- 
wood. 

From  the  account  Power  had  given  me  in  the  morning, 
I  had  no  difficulty  in  guessing  that  the  writer  was  the 
maiden  sister  of  the  late  Lady  Dashwood,  and  for  whose 
relationship  Sir  George  had  ever  testified  the  greatest 
dread,  even  at  the  distance  of  two  hundred  miles,  and  for 
whom,  in  any  nearer  intimacy,  he  was  in  no  wise  pre- 
pared. 

"  I  say,  Lucy,"  said  he,  "  there's  only  one  thing  to  be 
done ;  if  this  horrid  woman  does  arrive,  let  her  be  shown 
to  her  room,  and  for  the  few  days  of  her  stay  in  town,  we'll 
neither  see  nor  be  seen  by  any  one." 

Without  waiting  for  a  reply,  Sir  George  was  turning 
away  to  give  the  necessary  instructions,  when  the  door  of 
the  drawing-room  was  flung  open,  and  the  servant  an- 
nounced, in  his  loudest  voice,  "  Miss  Macan."  Never  shall 
I  forget  the  poor  General's  look  of  horror  as  the  words 
reached  him ;  for,  as  yet,  he  was  too  far  to  catch  even  a 
glimpse  of  its  fair  owner.  As  for  me,  I  was  already  so 
much  interested  in  seeing  what  she  was  like,  that  I  made 
my  way  through  the  crowd  towards  the  door.  It  is  no 
common  occurrence  that  can  distract  the  various  occupa- 
tions of  a  crowded  ball-room,  where,  amid  the  crash  of 
music  and  the  din  of  conversation,  goes  on  the  soft,  low 
voice  of  insinuating  flattery,  or  the  light  flirtation  of  a 
first  acquaintance ;  every  clique,  every  coterie,  every  little 
group  of  three  or  four,  has  its  own  separate  and  private 
interests,  forming  a  little  world  of  its  own,  and  caring  for 
and  heeding  nothing  that  goes  on  around  ;  aud  even  when 
some  striking  character  or  illustrious  personage  makes  his 
entree,  the  attention  he  attracts  is  so  momentary,  that  the 
buzz  of  conversation  is  scarcely,  if  at  all,  interrupted,  and 
the  business  of  pleasure  continues  to  flow  on.  Not  so  now, 
however.  No  sooner  had  the  servant  pronounced  the 
magical  name  of  Miss  Macan,  than  all  seemed  to  stand 
still.  The  spell  thus  exercised  over  the  luckless  General 


THE   BALL.  1  13 

econvcd  to  have  extended  to  his  company,  for  it  was  with 
difficulty  that  any  one  could  continue  his  train  of  conver- 
sation, while  every  eye  was  directed  towards  the  door. 
About  two  steps  in  advance  of  the  servant,  who  still  stood 
door  in  hand,  was  a  tall,  elderly  lady,  dressed  in  an  antique 
brocade  silk,  with  enormous  flowers  gaudily  embroidered 
upon  it.  Her  hair  was  powdered,  and  turned  back,  in  the 
fashion  of  fifty  years  before ;  while  her  high-pointed  and 
heeled  shoes  completed  a  costume  that  had  not  been  seen 
for  nearly  a  century.  Her  short,  skinny  arms  were  bare 
and  partly  covered  by  a  falling  flower  of  old  point  lace, 
while  on  her  hands  she  wore  black  silk  mittens  ;  a  pair  of 
green  spectacles  scarcely  dimmed  the  lustre  of  a  most 
piercing  pair  of  eyes,  to  whose  effect  a  very  palpable  touch 
of  rouge  on  the  cheeks  certainly  added  brilliancy.  There 
stood  this  most  singular  apparition,  holding  before  her  a 
fan  about  the  size  of  a  modern  tea-tray,  while,  at  each  re- 
petition of  her  name  by  the  servant,  she  courtesied  deeply, 
bestowing  the  while  upon  the  gay  crowd  before  her  a  very 
curious  look  of  maidenly  modesty  at  her  solitary  and  un- 
protected position. 

As  no  one  had  ever  heard  of  the  fair  Judith  save  one  or 
two  of  Sir  George's  most  intimate  friends,  the  greater  part 
of  the  company  were  disposed  to  regard  Miss  Macan  as 
some  one  who  had  mistaken  the  character  of  the  invitation, 
and  had  come  in  a  fancy  dress.  But  this  delusion  was  but 
momentary,  as  Sir  George,  armed  with  the  courage  of 
despair,  forced  his  way  through  the  crowd,  and  taking  her 
hand  affectionately,  bid  her  welcome  to  Dublin.  The  fair 
Judy,  at  this,  threw  her  arms  about  his  neck,  and  saluted 
him  with  a  hearty  smack,  that  was  heard  all  over  the 
room. 

"  Where's  Lucy,  brother  ?  let  me  embrace  my  little 
darling,"  said  the  lady,  in  an  accent  that  told  more  of 
Miss  Macan  than  a  three- volume  biography  could  have 
done.  "  There  she  is,  I'm  sure  ;  kiss  me,  my  honey." 

This  office  Miss  Dashwood  performed  with  an  effort  at 
courtesy  really  admirable  ;  while,  taking  her  aunt's  arm, 
she  led  her  to  a  sofa. 

It  needed  all  the  poor  General's  tact  to  get  over  the 
•ensation  of  this  most  mal  a  propos  addition  to  his  party ; 
but,  by  degrees,  the  various  groups  renewed  their  occupa- 


CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

tions,  although  many  a  smile,  and  more  than  one  sarcastic 
glance  at  the  sofa,  betrayed  that  the  maiden  aunt  had  not 
escaped  criticism. 

Power,  whose  propensity  for  fun  very  considerably  out- 
stripped his  sense  of  decorum  to  his  commanding  officer, 
had  already  made  his  way  towards  Miss  Dashwood,  and 
succeeded  in  obtaining  a  formal  introduction  to  Miss 
Macan. 

"  I  hope  yon  will  do  me  the  favour  to  dance  next  set 
with  me,  Miss  Macan  ?  " 

"  Really,  Captain,  it's  very  polite  of  yon,  but  you  must 
excuse  me.  I  was  never  anything  great  in  quadrilles ; 
but  if  a  reel  or  a  jig " 

"  Oh,  dear  aunt,  don't  think  of  it,  I  beg  of  yon." 

*'  Or  even  Sir  Roger  de  Coverley,"  resumed  Miss  Macan. 

"  I  assure  you,  quite  equally  impossible." 

**  Then  I'm  certain  you  waltz,"  said  Power. 

"  What  do  yon  take  me  for,  young  man  ?  I  hope  I 
know  better.  I  wish  Father  Magrath  heard  you  ask  me 
that  question,  and  for  all  your  laced  jacket " 

"  Dearest  aunt,  Captain  Power  didn't  mean  to  offend 
you  ;  I'm  certain  he " 

"  Well,  why  did  he  dare  to — sob,  sob — did  he  see  any- 
thing light  about  me,  that  he — sob,  sob,  sob — oh  dear !  oh 
dear !  is  it  for  this  I  came  up  from  my  little  peaceful  place 
in  the  west  ? — sob,  sob,  sob —  General,  George,  dear ;  Lucy, 
my  love,  I'm  taken  bad.  Oh  dear !  oh  dear !  is  there  any 
whisky  negas  ?  " 

Whatever  sympathy  Miss  Macan's  sufferings  might  have 
excited  ir  the  crowd  about  her  before,  this  last  question 
totally  routed  them,  and  a  most  hearty  fit  of  laughter 
broke  forth  from  more  than  one  of  the  bystanders. 

At  length,  however,  she  was  comforted,  and  her  pacifica- 
tion completely  effected  by  Sir  George  setting  her  down 
to  a  whist-table.  From  this  moment  I  lost  sight  of  her 
for  above  two  hours.  Meanwhile,  I  had  little  opportunity 
of  following  up  my  intimacy  with  Miss  Dashwood,  and,  as 
I  rather  suspected  that,  on  more  than  one  occasion,  she 
seemed  to  avoid  our  meeting,  I  took  especial  care,  on  my 
part,  to  spare  her  the  annoyance. 

For  one  instant  only  had  I  any  opportunity  of  addressing 
her,  and  then  there  was  such  an  evident  embarrassment  in 


THE   BALL.  145 

her  manner  that  I  readily  perceived  how  she  felt  circum- 
stanced, and  that  the  sense  of  gratitude  to  one  whoso 
further  advances  she  might  have  feared  rendered  her  con- 
strained arid  awkward.  "  Too  true,"  said  I ;  "  she  avoids 
me.  My  being  here  is  only  a  source  of  discomfort  and 
pain  to  her ;  therefore,  I'll  take  my  loave,  and  whatever 
it  may  cost  me,  never  to  return."  With  this  intention, 
resolving  to  wish  Sir  George  a  very  good  night,  I  sought 
him  out  for  some  minutes.  At  length  I  saw  him  in  a 
corner,  conversing  with  the  old  nobleman  to  whom  he  had 
presented  me  early  in  the  evening. 

"  True,  upon  my  honour,  Sir  George,"  said  he ;  "I  saw 
it  myself,  and  she  did  it  just  as  dexterously  as  the  oldest 
blackleg  in  Paris." 

"  Why,  you  don't  mean  to  say  that  she  cheated  ?  " 

"Yes,  but  I  do,  though — turned  the  ace  every  time. 
Lady  Herbert  said  to  me,  '  Very  extraordinary  it  is — four 
by  honours  again.'  So  I  looked,  and  then  I  perceived  it 
— a  very  old  trick  it  is ;  but  she  did  it  beautifully.  What's 
her  name  ?  " 

"  Some  western  name ;  I  forget  it,"  said  the  poor 
General,  ready  to  die  with  shame. 

"  Clever  old  woman,  very  !  "  said  the  old  Lord,  taking 
a  pinch  of  snuff;  "but  revokes  too  often." 

Supper  was  announced  at  this  critical  moment,  and 
before  I  had  further  thought  of  my  determination  to  escape, 
I  felt  myself  hurried  along  in  the  crowd  towards  the  stair- 
case The  party  immediately  in  front  of  me  were  Power 
and  Miss  Macan,  who  now  appeared  reconciled,  and  cer- 
tainly testified  most  openly  their  mutual  feelings  of  good- 
will. 

"I  say,  Charley,"  whispered  Power,  as  I  came  along, 
"  it  is  capital  fun — never  met  anything  equal  to  her  ;  but 
the  poor  General  will  never  live  through  it,  and  I'm  certain 
of  ten  days'  arrest  for  this  night's  proceeding." 

"  Any  news  of  Webber  ?  "  I  inquired. 

"  Oh  yes,  I  fancy  I  can  tell  something  of  him ;  for  1 
heard  of  some  one  presenting  himself,  and  being  refused 
the  entree,  so  that  Master  Frank  has  lost  his  money.  Sit 
near  us,  I  pray  you,  at  supper.  We  must  take  care  of  the 
dear  aunt  for  the  niece's  sake,  eh  ?  " 

Not  seeing  the  force  of  this  reasoning,  I  soon  separated 


146  CHABLES  O'MALLET. 

myself  from,  them,  and  scoured  a  corner  at  a  side  table. 
Every  supper,  on  such  an  occasion  as  this,  is  the  same 
scene  of  soiled  white  muslin,  faded  flowers,  flushed  faces, 
torn  gloves,  blushes,  blanc-mange,  cold  chicken,  jelly, 
sponge  cakes,  spooney  young  gentlemen  doing  the  atten- 
tive, and  watchful  mammas  calculating  what  precise  degree 
of  propinquity  in  the  crush  is  safe  or  seasonable  for  ilieir 
daughters,  to  the  monstached  and  unmarrying  lovers 
besides  them.  There  are  always  the  same  set  of  gratified 
elders,  like  the  benchers  in  King's  Inn,  marched  up  to  the 
head  of  the  table,  to  eat,  drink,  and  be  happy — removed 
from  the  more  profane  looks  and  soft  speeches  of  the 
younger  part  of  the  creation.  Then  there  are  the  oi  polloi 
of  outcasts,  younger  sons  of  younger  brothers,  tutors, 
governesses,  portionless  cousins,  and  curates,  all  formed  in 
a  phalanx  round  the  side  tables,  whose  primitive  habits 
and  simple  tastes  are  evinced  by  their  all  eating  off  the 
same  plate  and  drinking  from  nearly  the  same  wine-glass, 
— too  happy  if  some  better-off  acquaintance  at  the  long 
table  invites  them  to  "  wine,"  though  the  ceremony  on 
their  part  is  limited  to  the  pantomime  of  drinking.  To 
this  miserable  tiers  ttat  I  belonged,  and  bore  my  fate  with 
unconcern;  for.  alas !  my  spirits  were  depressed  and  my 
heart  heavy.  Lucy's  treatment  of  me  was  every  moment 
before  me,  contrasted  with  her  gay  and  courteous  demeanour 
to  all  save  myself,  and  I  longed  for  the  moment  to  get  away. 

Never  had  I  seen  her  looking  so  beautiful ;  her  brilliant 
eyes  were  lit  with  pleasure,  and  her  smile  was  enchant- 
ment itself.  What  would  I  not  have  given  for  one 
moment's  explanation,  as  I  took  my  leave  for  ever ! — one 
brief  avowal  of  my  love,  my  unalterable,  devoted  love  j 
for  which  I  sought  not  or  expected  return,  but  merely  that 
I  might  not  be  forgotten. 

Such  were  my  thoughts,  when  a  dialogue  quite  near  me 
aroused  me  from  my  reverie.  I  was  not  long  in  detecting 
the  speakers,  who,  with  their  backs  turned  to  us,  were 
seated  at  the  great  table,  discussing  a  very  liberal  allow- 
ance of  pigeon  pie,  a  flask  of  champagne  standing  between 
them. 

"  Don't,  now !  don't,  I  tell  ye  ;  it's  little  ye  know  Gal- 
way,  or  ye  wouldn't  think  to  make  up  to  me,  squeezing 
my  foot" 


THE   BALL.  147 

"  Upon  my  soul,  you're  an  angel,  a  regular  angeL  I 
never  saw  a  woman  suit  my  fancy  before." 

"Oh,  behave  now.     Father  Magrath  says—** 

"  Who's  he  ?  " 

"  The  priest ;  no  less.** 

**  Oh !  confound  him.'* 

"  Confound  Father  Magrath,  young  man  ?  ** 

"  Well,  then,  Judy,  don't  be  angry  ;  I  only  meant  that 
a  dragoon  knows  rather  more  of  these  matters  than  a 
priest." 

"  Well,  then,  I'm  not  so  sure  of  that.  But,  anyhow, 
I'd  have  you  to  remember  it  ain't  a  Widow  Malone  you 
have  beside  you." 

"  Never  hea"l  of  the  lady,"  said  Power. 

"  Sure,  it's  a  song  —  poor  creature  —  it's  a  song  they 
made  about  her  in  the  North  Cork,  when  they  were  quar- 
tered down  in  our  county.'* 

"  I  wish  to  Heaven  you'd  sing  it." 

"  What  will  you  give  me,  then,  if  I  do  ?  " 

"  Anything — everything — my  heart,  my  life.1* 

"  I  wouldn't  give  a  trauneen  for  all  of  them.  Give  me 
that  old  green  ring  on  your  finger,  then." 

"  It's  yours,"  said  Power,  placing  it  gracefully  upon 
Miss  Macau's  finger,  "and  now  for  your  promise." 

"  Maybe  my  brother  might  not  like  it." 

"  He'd  be  delighted,"  said  Power ;  "  he  dotes  on  music." 

**  Does  he,  now  ?  " 

"  On  my  honour,  he  does." 

"  Well,  mind  you  get  up  a  good  chorus,  for  the  song  has 
one,  and  here  it  is." 

"  Miss  Macan's  song !  **  s»i^  Power,  tapping  the  table 
with  his  knife. 

"  Miss  Macan's  song !  "  was  re-echoed  on  all  sides ;  and 
before  the  luckless  General  could  interfere,  she  had  begun. 
How  to  explain  the  air  I  know  not,  for  I  never  heard  its 
name ;  but  at  the  end  of  each  verse  a  species  of  echo 
followed  the  last  word,  that  rendered  it  irresistibly 
ridiculous. 


148  OHAHLES  O'MALLET. 


"THE   WIDOW   MALONHb 

**  Did  ye  hear  of  the  Widow  Malone, 
Ohone! 

Who  lived  in  the  town  of  Athlone 
Alone  F 

Oh  !  she  incite'!  the  hearts 

Of  the  swains  in  them  parts, 

So  lovely  the  Widow  Malone. 

Ohone 1 

So  lovely  the  Widow  Malone. 

**  Of  lovers  she  had  a  full  score, 

Or  more ; 

And  fortunes  they  all  had  galore, 

In  store ; 

From  the  minister  down 

To  the  clerk  of  the  crown, 

All  were  courting  the  Widow  Malone, 
Ohone ! 

All  were  courting  the  Widow  Malone. 

**  But  so  modest  was  Mrs.  Malone, 

'Twas  known 

No  one  ever  could  see  her  alone, 

Ohone  I 

Let  them  ogle  and  sigh, 

They  could  ne'er  catch  her  eye, 

So  bashful  the  Widow  Malone, 

Ohone! 

So  bashful  the  Widow  Malone. 

••  Till  one  Mister  O'Brien  from  Clare, 

How  quare  J 

It's  little  for  blushin'  they  care 

Down  there ; 

Fat  his  arm  round  her  waist, 

Gave  ten  kisses  at  laste, 

'Oh,'  says  he,  '  you're  my  Molly  Malone,' 
My  own  ; ' 

•  Oh, '  says  he,  '  you're  my  Molly  Malone.* 

**  And  the  widow  they  all  thought  so  shj, 

My  eye ! 
Ne'er  thought  of  a  simper  or  sigh, 

For  why  t 


THE   BALL.  149 

But '  Lucius,'  says  she, 
4  Since  you've  made  now  so  free, 
You  may  marry  your  Mary  Malone, 
Ohone I 
You  may  marry  you*  Mary  Malone.* 

*•  There  a  a  moral  contained  in  my  song, 

Not  wrong; 

And  one  comfort  it's  not  very  long, 

But  strong : 

If  for  widows  you  die, 

Larn  to  kiss,  net  to  sigh, 

For  they're  all  like  sweet  Mistress  Malone, 
Ohone 1 

Oh !  they're  very  like  Mistress  Malone. " 

Never  did  song  create  such  a  sensation  as  Miss  Macan's ; 
and  certainly  her  desires  as  to  the  chorus  were  followed 
to  the  letter,  for  "  The  Widow  Malone,  ohone  !  "  resoun- 
ded from  one  end  of  the  table  to  the  other,  amid  one 
universal  shout  of  laughter.  None  could  resist  the  ludi- 
crous effect  of  her  melody ;  and  even  poor  Sir  George, 
sinking  under  the  disgrace  of  his  relationship,  which  she 
had  contrived  to  make  public  by  frequent  allusions  to  her 
"  dear  brother  the  General,' '  yielded  at  last,  and  joined  in 
the  mirth  around  him. 

"  I  insist  upon  a  copy  of  '  The  "Widow,'  Miss  Macan," 
said  Power. 

"  To  be  sure ;  give  me  a  call  to-morrow — let  me  see — 
about  two.  Father  Magrath  won't  be  at  home,"  said  she, 
with  a  coquettish  look. 

u  Where,  pray,  may  I  pay  my  respects  ?  " 

"No.  22,  South  Anne  Street — very  respectable  lodgings. 
I'll  write  the  address  in  your  pocket-book." 

Power  produced  a  card  and  pencil,  while  Miss  Macan 
wrote  a  few  lines,  saying,  as  she  handed  it, — 

"  There,  now,  don't  read  it  here  before  the  people ; 
they'll  think  it  mighty  indelicate  in  me  to  make  an  ap- 
pointment." 

Power  pocketed  the  card,  and  the  next  minute  Miss 
Macan's  carriage  was  announced. 

Sir  George  Dashwood,  who  little  flattered  himself  that 
his  fair  guest  had  any  intention  of  departure,  became  now 
most  considerately  attentive — reminded  her  of  the  necessity 
of  muffling  against  the  night  air — hoped  she  would  escape 


150  CUAELES  O'MALLBY. 

cold — and  wished  her  a  most  cordial  good  night,  with  a 
promise  of  seeing  her  early  the  following  day. 

Notwithstanding  Power's  ambition  to  engross  the  at- 
tention of  the  lady,  Sir  George  himself  saw  her  to  her 
carriage,  and  only  returned  to  the  room,  as  a  group  was 
collecting  around  the  gallant  Captain,  to  whom  he  was 
relating  some  capital  traits  of  his  late  conquest — for  such 
lie  di-eamed  she  was. 

"  Doubt  it  who  will,"  said  he,  "  she  has  invited  me  to 
call  on  her  to-morrow — written  her  address  on  my  card- 
told  me  the  hour  she  is  certain  of  being  alone.  See  here !  " 
At  these  words  he  pulled  forth  the  card,  and  handed  it  to 
Lechmere. 

Scarcely  were  the  eyes  of  the  other  thrown  upon  the 
writing,  when  he  said,  "  So,  this  isn't  it,  Power." 

"  To  be  sure  it  is,  man,"  said  Power.  "  Anne  Street  is 
devilish  seedy — but  that's  the  quarter." 

"  Why,  confound  it,  man,"  said  the  other,  "  there's  not 
a  word  of  that  here." 

"  Read  it  out,"  said  Power.  "Proclaim  aloud  my  vic- 
tory." 

Thus  urged,  Lechmere  read  :— 

"  DEAR  P., — Please  pay  to  my  credit — and  soon,  mark 
ye — the  two  ponies  lost  this  evening.  I  have  done  my- 
self the  pleasure  of  enjoying  your  ball,  kissed  the  lady, 
quizzed  the  papa,  and  walked  into  the  cunning  Fred 
Power.  °  Yours, 

"FRANK  WEBBER. 

"  *  The  Widow  Malone,  ohone !  *  is  at  your  service.** 

Had  a  thunderbolt  fallen  at  his  feet,  his  astonishment 
could  not  have  equalled  the  result  of  this  revelation.  He 
stamped,  swore,  raved,  laughed,  and  almost  went  deranged. 
The  joke  was  soon  spread  through  the  room,  and  from  Sip 
George  to  poor  Lucy,  now  covered  with  blushes  at  her 
part  in  the  transaction,  all  was  laughter  and  astonish- 
ment. 

"Who  is  he?  that  is  the  question,"  said  Sir  George, 
who,  with  all  the  ridicule  of  the  affair  hanging  over  him, 
felt  no  common  relief  at  the  discovery  of  the  impo- 
sition. 


THE    BALL.  151 

"A  friend  of  O'Malley's,"  said  Power,  delighted,  in  his 
defeat,  to  involve  another  with  himself. 

"  Indeed  !  "  said  the  General,  regarding  me  with  a  look 
of  a  very  mingled  cast. 

"  Quite  true,  sir,"  said  I,  replying  to  the  accusation 
that  his  manner  implied  ;  "  but  equally  so,  that  I  neither 
knew  of  his  plot,  nor  recognized  him  when  here." 

"  I  am  perfectly  sure  of  it,  my  boy,"  said  the  General ; 
"  and,  after  all,  it  was  an  excellent  joke— carried  a  little 
too  far,  it's  true  ;  eh,  Lucy  ?  " 

But  Lucy  either  heard  not,  or  affected  not  to  hear  ;  and, 
after  some  little  further  assurance  that  he  felt  not  the  least 
annoyed,  the  General  turned  to  converse  with  some  other 
friends :  while  I,  burning  with  indignation  against  Web- 
ber, took  a  cold  farewell  of  Miss  Dashwood,  and  retired. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

THE   LAST   KIOHT   IN   TRINITT. 

How  I  might  have  met  Master  Webber  after  his  imperso- 
nation of  Miss  Macan,  I  cannot  possibly  figure  to  myself. 
Fortunately,  indeed,  for  all  parties,  he  left  town  early  the 
next  morning ;  and  it  was  some  weeks  ere  he  returned. 
In  the  meanwhile,  I  became  a  daily  visitor  at  the  Gen- 
eral's, dined  there  usually  three  or  four  times  a  week,  rode 
out  with  Lucy  constantly,  and  accompanied  her  every 
evening  either  to  the  theatre  or  into  society.  Sir 
George,  possibly  from  my  youth,  seemed  to  pay  little 
attention  to  an  intimacy  which  he  perceived  every  hour 
growing  closer,  and  frequently  gave  his  daughter  into  my 
charge  in  our  morning  excursions  on  horseback.  As  for 
me,  my  happiness  was  all  but  perfect.  I  loved,  and  already 
began  to  hope  that  I  was  not  regarded  with  indifference ; 


152  CHARLES  O'MALLET. 

for,  although  Lucy's  manner  never  absolutely  evinced  any 
decided  preference  towards  me,  yet  many  slight  and  casual 
circumstances  served  to  show  me  that  my  attentions  to  her 
were  neither  unnoticed  nor  uncared  for.  Among  the  many 
gay  and  dashing  companions  of  our  rides,  I  remarked  that, 
however  anxious  for  such  a  distinction,  none  ever  seemed 
to  make  any  way  in  her  good  graces ;  and  I  had  already 
gone  far  in  my  self-deception  that  I  was  destined  for  good 
fortune,  when  a  circumstance  which  occurred  one  morning 
at  length  served  to  open  my  eyes  to  the  truth,  and  blast, 
by  one  fatal  breath,  the  whole  harvest  of  my  hopes. 

We  were  about  to  set  out  one  morning  on  a  long  ride, 
when  Sir  George's  presence  was  required  by  the  arrival 
of  an  officer  who  had  been  sent  from  the  Horse  Guards 
on  official  business.  After  half  an  hour's  delay,  Colonel 
Cameron,  the  officer  in  question,  was  introduced,  and 
entered  into  conversation  with  our  party.  He  had  only 
landed  in  England  from  the  Peninsula  a  few  days  before, 
and  had  abundant  information  of  the  stirring  events  enact- 
ing there.  At  the  conclusion  of  an  anecdote — I  forget 
what — he  turned  suddenly  round  to  Miss  Daswood,  who 
was  standing  beside  me,  and  said  in  a  low  voice, — 

"  And  now,  Miss  Dashwood,  I  am  reminded  of  a  com- 
mission I  promised  a  very  old  brother  officer  to  perform. 
Can  I  have  one  moment's  conversation  with  you  in  the 
window  ?  " 

As  he  spoke,  I  perceived  that  he  crumpled  beneath  his 
glove  something  like  a  letter. 

"  To  me?  "  said  Lucy,  with  a  look  of  surprise  that  sadly 
puzzled  me  whether  to  ascribe  it  to  coquetry  or  innocence 
— "  to  me  ?  " 

"  To  you,"  said  the  Colonel,  bowing ;  "  and  I  am  sadly 
deceived  by  my  friend  Hammersley " 

"  Captain  Hammersley  ?  "  said  she,  blushing  deeply  as 
she  spoke. 

I  heard  no  more.  She  turned  towards  the  window  with 
the  Colonel,  and  all  I  saw  was,  that  he  handed  her  a  letter, 
which,  having  hastily  broken  open,  and  thrown  her  eyea 
over,  she  grew  at  first  deadly  pale — then  red — and,  while 
her  eyes  filled  with  tears,  I  heard  her  say,  "  How  like  him  ! 
• — how  truly  generous  this  is  !  "  I  listened  for  no  more — 
my  brain  was  wheeling  round,  and  my  senses  reeling — I 


THE    LAST    NIGHT    IN    TRINITY.  153 

turned  and  left  the  room — in  another  moment  I  was  on  mj 
horse,  galloping  from  the  spot,  despair,  in  all  its  black- 
ness, in  my  heart — and,  in  my  broken-hearted  misery, 
wishing  for  death. 

I  wat>  miles  away  from  Dublin  ere  I  remembered  well 
what  had  occurred,  and  even  then  not  over-clearly ;  the 
fact  that  Lucy  Dashwood,  whom  I  imagined  to  be  my  own 
in  heart,  loved  another,  was  all  that  I  really  knew.  That 
one  thought  was  all  my  mind  was  capable  of,  and  in  it  my 
misery,  my  wretchedness  were  centred. 

Of  all  the  grief  my  life  has  known,  I  have  had  no 
moments  like  the  long  hours  of  that  dreary  night.  My 
sorrow,  in  turn,  took  every  shape  and  assumed  every 
guise ;  now  I  remembered  how  the  Dashwoods  had  courted 
my  intimacy  and  encouraged  my  visits  ;  how  Lucy  herself 
had  evinced,  in  a  thousand  ways,  that  she  felt  a  preference 
for  me.  I  called  to  mind  the  many  unequivocal  proofs  I 
had  given  her  that  my  feeling,  at  least,  was  no  common 
one  ;  and  yet,  how  had  she  sported  with  my  affections,  and 
jested  with  my  happiness !  That  she  loved  Hammersley  I 
had  now  a  palpable  proof;  that  this  affection  must  have 
been  mutual,  and  prosecuted  at  the  very  moment  I  was  not 
on  ly  professing  my  own  love  for  her,  but  actually  receiving 
all  but  an  avowal  of  its  return — oh !  it  was  too,  too  base  ; 
and,  in  my  deepest  heart,  I  cursed  my  folly,  and  vowed 
never  to  see  her  more. 

It  was  late  on  the  next  day  ere  I  retraced  my  steps 
towards  town,  my  heart  sad  and  heavy,  careless  what 
became  of  me  for  the  future,  and  pondering  whether  I 
should  not  at  once  give  up  my  college  career,  and  return 
to  my  uncle.  When  I  reached  my  chambers,  all  was  silent 
and  comfortless ;  Webber  had  not  returned ;  my  servant 
was  from  home ;  and  I  felt  myself  more  than  ever  wretched 
in  the  solitude  of  what  had  been  so  oft  the  scene  of  noisy 
and  festive  gaiety.  I  sat  some  hours  in  a  half-musing 
state,  every  sad  depressing  thought  that  blighted  hopes 
can  conjure  up  rising  in  turn  before  me.  A  loud  knocking 
at  the  door  at  length  aroused  me.  I  got  up  and  opened  it. 
No  one  was  there  ;  I  looked  around,  as  well  as  the  coming 
gloom  of  evening  would  permit,  but  saw  nothing.  I 
listened,  and  heard,  at  some  distance  off,  my  friend  Power's 
manly  voice,  as  he  sang, — 

"  Oh  lore  is  the  soul  of  an  Irish  Dragoon  i" 


154  CHARLES   o'lIALLEY. 

I  hallooed  out,  "  Power ! " 

"  Eh,  O'Malley,  is  that  you  ?"  inquired  he.  «  Why,  then, 
it  seems  it  required  some  deliberation  whether  you  opened 
your  door  or  not.  Why,  man,  you  can  have  no  great  gift 
of  prophecy,  or  you  wouldn't  have  kept  uie  so  long  there." 

"  And  have  you  been  so  ?  " 

"  Only  twenty  minutes ;  for,  as  I  saw  the  key  in  the 
lock,  I  had  determined  to  succeed  if  noise  would  do  it." 

**  How  strange  !  I  never  heard  it." 

"  Glorious  sleeper  you  must  be ;  but  come,  my  dear 
fellow,  you  don't  appear  altogether  awake  yet." 

"  I  have  not  been  quite  well  these  few  days." 

"Oh!  indeed.  The  Dashwoods  thought  there  must  have 
been  something  of  that  kind  the  matter  by  your  brisk  re- 
treat. They  sent  me  after  you  yesterday ;  but,  wherever 
you  went  Heaven  knows !  I  never  could  come  up  with 
you  ;  so  that  your  great  news  has  been  keeping  these 
twenty-four  hours  longer  than  need  be." 

"  I  am  not  aware  what  you  allude  to." 

"  Well,  you  are  not  over-likely  to  be  the  wiser  when  you 
hear  it,  if  you  can  assume  no  more  intelligent  look  than 
that.  Why,  man,  there's  great  luck  in  store  for  you." 

"As  how,  pray?  Come,  Power,  out  with  it,  though  I 
can't  pledge  myself  to  feel  half  as  grateful  for  my  good 
fortune  as  I  should  do.  What  is  it  ?  " 

"  You  know  Cameron  ?  " 

*'  I  have  seen  him,"  said  I,  reddening. 

"Well,  Old  Gamy,  as  we  used  to  call  him,  has  brought 
over,  among  his  other  news,  your  gazette." 

"  My  gazette !  what  do  you  mean  ?  " 

"  Confound  your  uncommon  stupidity  this  evening.  I 
mean,  man.  that  you  are  one  of  us — gazetted  to  the  14th 
Light — the  best  fellows  for  love,  war,  and  whisky  that 
ever  sported  a  sabretasche.  '  Oh  love  is  the  soul  of  an 
Irish  Dragoon ! '  By  Jove !  I  am  as  delighted  to  have 
rescued  you  from  the  black  harness  of  the  King's  Bench 
as  though  you  had  been  a  prisoner  there.  Know,  then, 
friend  Charley,  that  on  Wednesday  we  proceed  to  Fermoy, 
join  some  score  of  gallant  fellows — all  food  for  powder — 
and,  with  the  aid  of  a  rotten  transport  and  the  stormy 
winds  that  blow,  will  be  brorzing  onr  beautiful  faces  in 
Portugal  before  the  month's  out.  But  come,  iiow,  lot's  see 


THE  LAST  NIGHT  IN  TRINITY 


Lever— I'oluine   Thirty 


THE   LAST    NIGHT    IN    TRINITY.  155 

about  supper.  Some  of  ours  are  coming  over  here  at 
eleven,  and  I  promised  them  a  devilled  bone;  and,  as  it's 
your  last  night  among  these  classic  precincts,  let  us  have 
a  shindy  of  it." 

While  I  despatched  Mike  to  Morrisci's  to  provide 
snpper,  I  heard  from  Power  that  Sir  George  Dashwood 
had  interested  himself  so  strongly  for  me  that  I  had  ob- 
tained my  cornetcy  ;n  the  14th;  that,  fearful  lest  any 
disappointment  might  arise,  he  had  never  mentioned  the 
matter  to  me,  but  that  he  had  previously  obtained  my 
uncle's  promise  to  concur  in  the  arrangement  if  his  nego- 
tiation succeeded.  It  had  so  done,  and  now  the  long  sought- 
for  object  of  many  days  was  within  my  grasp ;  but,  alas  ! 
the  circumstance  which  lent  it  all  its  fascinations  was  a 
vanished  dream  ;  and  what,  but  two  days  before,  had  ren- 
dered my  happiness  perfect,  I  listened  to  listlessly  and 
almost  without  interest.  Indeed,  my  first  impulse  at  find- 
ing that  1  owed  my  promotion  to  Sir  George,  was  to 
return  a  positive  refusal  of  the  cornetcy ;  but  then  I  re- 
membered how  deeply  such  conduct  would  hurt  my  p«x>r 
uncle,  to  whom  I  never  could  give  an  adequate  explanation. 
So  I  heard  Power  in  silence  to  the  end,  thanked  him  sin- 
cerely for  his  own  good-natured  kindness  in  the  matter, 
which  already,  by  the  interest  he  had  taken  in  me,  went 
far  to  heal  the  wounds  that  my  own  solitary  musings  were 
deepening  in  my  heart.  At  eighteen,  fortunately,  consola- 
tions are  attainable  that  become  more  difficult  at  eight-and- 
twenty,  and  impossible  at  eight-and-thirty. 

While  Power  continued  to  dilate  upon  the  delights  of  a 
soldier's  life — a  theme  which  many  a  boyish  dream  had 
long  since  made  hallowed  to  my  thoughts — I  gradually 
felt  my  enthusiasm  rising,  and  a  certain  throbbing  at  my 
heart  betrayed  to  me  that,  sad  and  dispirited  as  I  felt,  there 
was  still  within  that  buoyant  spirit  which  youth  possesses 
as  its  privilege,  and  which  answers  to  the  call  of  enter- 
prise  as  the  war-horse  to  the  trpmpet.  That  a  career 
worthy  of  manhood,  great,  glorious,  and  inspiriting,  opened 
before  me,  coming  so  soon  after  the  late  downfall  of  my  hopes, 
was,  in  itself,  a  source  of  such  true  pleasure,  that  ere  long  I 
listened  to  my  friend,  and  heard  his  narrative  with  breath- 
less interest.  A  lingering  sense  of  pique,  too,  had  its  share 
in  all  this.  I  longed  to  come  forward  in  some  manly  and 


156  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

dashing  part,  where  my  youth  might  not  be  ever  remera* 
bored  against  me,  and  when  having  brought  myself  to  the 
test,  I  might  no  longer  be  looked  upon  and  treated  as  a 
boy. 

We  were  joined  at  length  by  the  other  officers  of  the  14th, 
and,  to  the  number  of  twelve,  sat  down  to  supper. 

It  was  to  be  my  last  night  in  Old  Trinity,  and  we  resolved 
that  the  farewell  should  be  a  solemn  one.  Mansfield, 
one  of  the  wildest  young  fellows  in  the  regiment,  had 
vowed  that  the  leave-taking  should  be  commemorated  by 
some  very  decisive  and  open  expression  of  our  feelings, 
and  had  already  made  some  progress  in  arrangements  for 
blowing  up  the  great  bell,  which  had  more  than  once 
obtruded  upon  our  morning  convivialities  ;  but  he  was 
overruled  by  his  more  discreet  associates,  and  we  at 
length  assumed  our  places  at  table,  in  the  midst  of  which 
stood  a  hecatomb  of  all  my  college  equipments,  cap,  gown, 
bands,  &c.  A  funeral  pile  of  classics  was  arrayed  upon 
the  hearth,  surmounted  by  my  "  Book  on  the  Cellar,"  and  a 
punishment-roll  waved  its  length,  like  a  banner,  over  the 
doomed  heroes  of  Greece  and  Rome. 

It  is  seldom  that  any  very  determined  attempt  to  be 
gay  par  excellence  has  a  perfect  success,  but  certainly 
upon  this  evening  ours  had.  Songs,  good  stories,  speeches, 
toasts,  bright  visions  of  the  campaign  before  us,  the  wild 
excitement  which  such  a  meeting  cannot  be  free  from, 
gradually,  as  the  wine  passed  from  hand  to  hand,  seized 
upon  all,  and  about  four  in  the  morning,  such  was  the 
uproar  we  caused,  and  so  terrific  the  noise  of  our  proceed- 
ings, that  the  accumulated  force  of  porters,  sent  one  by 
one  to  demand  admission,  was  now  a  formidable  body  at 
the  door;  and  Mike  at  last  came  in  to  assure  us  that  the 
Bursar,  the  most  dread  official  of  all  collegians,  was  with- 
out, and  insisted,  with  a  threat  of  his  heaviest  displeasure, 
in  case  of  refusal,  that  the  door  should  be  opened. 

A  committee  of  the  whole  house  immediately  sat  upon 
the  question,  and  it  was  at  length  resolved,  nemine  contra- 
Jicente,  that  the  request  should  be  complied  with.  A  fresh 
bowl  of  punch,  in  honour  of  our  expected  guest,  was 
immediately  concocted,  a  new  broil  put  on  the  gridiron, 
and,  having  seated  ourselves  with  as  great  a  semblance  of 
decorum  as  four  bottles  a  man  admits  of,  Curtis,  the  junior 


THE   LAST    NIGHT    IN    TRINITY. 

Captain,  being  most  drunk,  was  deputed  to  receive  the  Bur- 
Bar  at  the  door,  and  introduce  him  to  our  august  presence. 

Mike's  instructions  were,  that  immediately  on  Dr. 
Stone,  the  Bursar's,  entering,  the  door  was  to  be  slammed 
to,  and  none  of  his  followers  admitted.  This  done,  the 
Doctor  was  to  be  ushered  in,  and  left  to  our  own  polite 
attentions. 

A  fresh  thundering  from  without  scarcely  left  time  for 
further  deliberation ;  and  at  last  Curtis  moved  towards 
the  door,  in  execution  of  his  mission. 

"  Is  there  any  one  there  ?  "  said  Mike,  in  a  tone  of  most 
unsophisticated  innocence,  to  a  rapping  that,  having  lasted 
three-quarters  of  an  hour,  threatened  now  to  break  in  the 
panel.  "  Is  there  any  one  there  ?" 

"  Open  the  door  this  instant — the  senior  Bursar  desires 
you — this  instant." 

"  Sure  it's  night,  and  we're  all  in  bed,"  said  Mike. 

"Mr.  Webber — Mr.  O'Malley,"  said  the  Bursar,  now 
boiling  with  indignation,  "  I  summon  you,  in  the  name  of 
the  Board,  to  admit  me." 

"  Let  the  geraman  in,"  hiccupped  Curtis ;  and,  at  the 
earne  instant,  the  heavy  bars  were  withdrawn,  and  the 
doors  opened,  but  so  sparingly  as  with  difficulty  to  permit 
the  passage  of  the  burley  figure  of  the  Bursar. 

Forcing  his  way  through,  and  regardless  of  what  becam» 
of  the  rest,  he  pushed  on  vigorously  through  the  ante- 
chamber, and  before  Curtis  could  perform  his  functions  of 
usher,  stood  in  the  midst  of  us.  What  were  his  feelings 
at  the  scene  before  him,  Heaven  knows.  The  number  of 
figures  in  uniform  at  once  betrayed  how  little  his  jurisdic- 
tion extended  to  the  great  mass  of  the  company,  and  he 
immediately  turned  towards  me. 

"Mr.  Webber " 

"  O'Malley,  if  you  please,  Mr.  Bursar,*'  said  I,  bowing 
with  most  ceremonious  politeness. 

"  No  matter,  sir  ;  arcades  ambo,  I  believe." 

"  Both  Archdeacons,"  said  Melville,  translating,  with  a 
look  of  withering  contempt  upon  the  speaker. 

The  Doctor  continued,  addressing  me  : 

"  May  I  ask,  sir,  if  you  believe  yourself  possessed  of  any 
privilege  for  converting  this  University  into  a  common 
tavern  ?  " 


158  CUARLES  O'MALLEY. 

"  I  wish  to  Heaven  he  did,"  said  Curtis ;  "  capital  tap 
your  old  Commons  would  make." 

"  Really,  Mr.  Bursar,"  replied  I,  modestly,  "  I  had  began 
to  flatter  myself  that  our  little  innocent  gaiety  had  inspired 
you  with  the  idea  of  joining  our  party." 

"  I  humbly  move  that  the  old  cove  in  the  gown  do  take 
the  chair,"  sang  out  one.  "  All  who  are  of  this  opinion 
say  '  Aye.'  "  A  perfect  yell  of  ayes  followed  this.  "  All 
who  are  of  the  contrary  say  '  No.'  The  ayes  have  it." 

Before  the  luckless  Doctor  had  a  moment  for  thought, 
his  legs  were  lifted  from  under  him,  and  he  was  jerked, 
rather  than  placed,  upon  a  chair,  and  put  sitting  upon 
the  table. 

"Mr.  O'Malley,  your  expulsion  within  twenty-four 
hours " 

"Hip,  hip,  hurra,  hurra,  hurra!"  drowned  the  rest, 
while  Power,  taking  off  the  DoctorV  cap,  replaced  it 
by  a  foraging  cap,  very  much  to  the  amusement  of  the 
party. 

"  There  is  no  penalty  the  law  permits  of,  that  I  shall 
not " 

"  Help  the  Doctor,"  said  Melville,  placing  a  glass  of 
punch  in  his  unconscious  hand. 

"  Now  for  a  '  Viva  la  Compagnie  ! '  said  Telford,  seating 
himself  at  the  piano,  and  playing  the  first  bars  of  that 
well-known  air,  to  which,  in  our  meetings,  we  were  accus- 
tomed to  improvise  a  doggerel  in  turn  : 

*'  I  drink  to  the  graces,  Law,  Physic,  Divinity, 

Viva  la  Compagnie  I 
And  here's  to  the  worthy  old  Bursar  of  Trinity, 

Viva  la  Compagnie  !** 

"Viva,  viva  lava!"  &c.,  were  chorussed  with  a  shout 
that  shook  the  old  walls,  while  Power  took  up  the  strain : 

"  Though  with  lace  caps  and  gowns  they  look  so  like  asses, 

Viva  la  Compagnie  ! 

They'd  rather  have  punch  than  the  springs  of  Parnassus, 
Viva  la  Compagnie  1" 

•*  What  a  nose  the  old  gentleman  has,  by  the  way, 

Viva  la  Compagnie  ! 
Since  he  smelt  out  the  devil  from  Botany  Bay,* 

Viva  la  Compagnie  !** 

*  Botany  Bay  was  the  slang  name  given  by  college  men  to  a  new  squat* 
rather  remotely  situated  from  the  remainder  of  the  college 


THE    LAST    NIGHT   IN    TRINITY.  159 

Words  cannot  give  even  the  faintest  idea  of  the  poor 
Bursar's  feelings  while  these  demoniacal  orgies  were 
enacting  around  him.  Held  fast  in  his  chair  by  Lechmere 
and  another,  he  glowered  on  the  riotous  mob  around  like 
a  maniac,  and  astonishment  that  such  liberties  could  be 
taken  with  one  in  his  situation  seemed  to  have  surpassed 
even  his  rage  and  resentment ;  and  every  now  and  then  a 
stray  thought  would  flash  across  his  mind  that  we  were 
mad, — a  sentiment  which,  unfortunately,  our  conduct  was 
but  too  well  calculated  to  inspire. 

"  So  you're  the  morning  lecturer,  old  gentleman,  and 
have  just  dropped  in  here  in  the  way  of  business;  pleasant 
life  you  must  have  of  it,"  said  Casey,  now  by  far  the  most 
tipsy  man  present. 

"  If  you  think,  Mr.  O'Malley,  that  the  events  of  this 
evening  are  to  end  here'  " 

"  Very  far  from  it,  Doctor,"  said  Power  ;  "  I'll  draw  up 
a  little  account  of  the  affair  for  '  Saunders.'  They  shall 
hear  of  it  in  every  corner  and  nook  of  the  kingdom." 

"  The  Bursar  of  Trinity  shal1.  be  a  proverb  for  a  good 
fellow  that  loveth  his  lush,"  hiccupped  out  Fegau. 

"  And  if  you  believe  that  such  conduct  is  academical," 
paid  the  Doctor,  with  a  withering  sneer. 

"Perhaps  not,"  lisped  Melville,  tightening  his  belt; 
"  but  it's  devilish  convivial — eh,  Doctor  ?  " 

"  Is  that  like  him  ?  "  said  Moreton,  producing  a  cari- 
cature, which  he  had  just  sketched. 

"  Capital — very  good — perfect.  M'Cleary  shall  have  it 
in  his  window  by  noon  to-d;iy,"  said  Power. 

At  this  instant  some  of  the  combustibles  disposed  among 
the  rejected  habiliments  of  my  late  vocation  caught  fire, 
and  squibs,  crackers,  and  detonating  shots  went  oS'  on  all 
sides.  The  Bursar,  who  had  not  been  deaf  to  several  hints 
and  friendly  suggestions  about  setting  fire  to  him,  blowing 
him  up,  &c.,  with  one  vigorous  spring  burst  from  his 
antagonists,  and,  clearing  the  table  at  a  bound,  reached 
the  floor.  Before  he  could  be  seized,  he  had  gained  the 
door,  opened  it,  and  was  away.  We  gave  chase,  yelling 
like  so  many  devils ;  but  wine  and  punch,  songs  and 
speeches,  had  done  their  work,  and  more  than  one  among 
the  pursuers  measured  his  length  upon  the  pavement ; 
while  the  terrified  Bursar,  with  the  speed  of  terror,  held 


160  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

on  his  way,  and  gained  his  chambers,  by  about  twenty 
yards  in  advance  of  Power  and  Melville,  whose  pursuit 
only  ended  when  the  oaken  panel  of  the  door  shut  them 
out  from  their  victim.  One  loud  cheer  beneath  his  window 
served  for  our  farewell  to  our  friend,  and  we  returned  to 
my  rooms.  By  this  time  a  regiment  of  those  classic  func- 
tionaries, ycleped  porters,  had  assembled  around  the  door, 
and  seemed  bent  upon  giving  battle  in  honour  of  their 
maltreated  ruler ;  but  Power  explained  to  them,  in  a  neat 
speech,  replete  with  Latin  quotations,  that  their  cause  was 
a  weak  one,  that  we  were  more  than  their  match,  and,  finally, 
proposed  to  them  to  finish  the  punch-bowl — to  which  we 
were  really  incompetent — a  motion  that  met  immediate 
acceptance  ;  and  old  Duncan,  with  his  helmet  in  one  hand, 
and  a  goblet  in  the  other,  wished  me  many  happy  days,  and 
every  luck  in  this  life,  as  I  stepped  from  the  massive  arch« 
wav,  and  took  my  last  farewell  of  Old  Trinity. 

Should  any  kind  reader  feel  interested  as  to  the  ulterior 
course  assumed  by  the  Bursar,  I  have  only  to  say  that  the 
terrors  of  the  "  Board  "  were  never  fulminated  against 
me,  harmless  and  innocent  as  I  should  have  esteemed  them. 
The  threat  of  giving  publicity  to  the  entire  proceedings 
by  the  papers,  and  the  dread  of  figuring  in  a  sixpenny 
caricature  in  M'Cleary's  window,  were  too  much  for  the 
\\  orthy  Doctor,  and  he  took  the  wiser  course,  under  the 
circumstances,  and  held  his  peace  about  the  matter.  I, 
too,  have  done  so  for  many  a  year,  and  only  now  recall 
the  scene  among  the  wild  transactions  of  early  days  and 
boyish  follies. 


161 


CHAPTER    XXI. 

THE     PHOENIX     PARK. 

WHAT  a  glorious  thing  it  is,  when  our  first  waking 
thoughts  not  only  dispel  some  dark  depressing  dream, 
but  arouse  us  to  the  consciousness  of  a  new  and  bright 
career  suddenly  opening  before  us,  buoyant  in  hope,  rich 
in  promise  for  the  future !  Life  has  nothing  better  than 
this.  The  bold  spring  by  which  the  mind  clears  the  depth 
that  separates  misery  from  happiness,  is  ecstasy  itself; 
and,  then,  what  a  world  of  bright  visions  come  teeming 
before  us — what  plans  we  form — what  promises  we  make 
to  ourselves  in  our  own  hearts — how  prolific  is  the  dullest 
imagination — how  excursive  the  tamest  fancy,  at  such  a 
moment  1  In  a  few  short  and  fleeting  seconds,  the  events 
of  a  whole  life  are  planned  and  pictured  before  us.  Dreams 
of  happiness  and  visions  of  bliss,  of  which  all  our  after 
years  are  insufficient  to  eradicate  the  prestige,  come  in 
myriads  about  us ;  and  from  that  narrow  aperture  through 
which  this  new  hope  pierces  into  our  heart,  a  flood  of 
light  is  poured  that  illumines  our  path  to  the  very  verge 
of  the  grave.  How  many  a  success  in  after-days  is  reck- 
oned but  as  one  step  in  that  ladder  of  ambition  some 
boyish  review  has  framed :  perhaps,  after  all,  destined  to 
be  the  first  and  only  one !  With  what  triumph  we  hail 
some  goal  attained,  some  objects  of  our  wishes  gained, 
less  for  its  present  benefit,  than  as  the  accomplishment  of 
some  youthful  prophecy,  when,  picturing  to  our  hearts  all 
that  we  would  have  in  life,  we  whispered  within  us  the 
flattery  of  success. 

Who  is  there  who  has  not  had  some  such  moment?  and 
who  would  exchange  it,  with  all  the  delusive  and  deceptive 
influences  by  which  it  comes  surrounded,  for  the  greatest 
actual  happiness  he  has  partaken  of  ?  Alas !  alas !  it  is 
only  in  the  boundless  expanse  of  such  imaginations,  un- 
real and  fictitious  as  they  are,  that  we  are  truly  blessed. 
Our  choicest  blessings  in  life  come  even  so  associated  with 


1G2  CHARLES    O'SIALLET. 

some  sources  of  care,  that  the  cup  of  enjoyment  is  not 
pure,  but  dregged  in  bitterness. 

To  such  a  world  of  bright  anticipation  did  I  awake  on 
the  morning  after  the  events  I  have  detailed  in  my  last 
chapter.  The  first  thing  my  eyes  fell  upou  was  an  official 
letter  from  the  Horse  Guards  : — 

"  The  Commander  of  the  Forces  desires  that  Mr. 
O'Malley  will  report  himself,  immediately  on  receipt  of 
this  letter,  at  the  head-quarters  of  the  regiment  to  which 
he  is  gazetted." 

Few  and  simple  as  the  lines  were,  how  brimful  of 
pleasure  they  sounded  to  my  ears.  The  regiment  to  which 
I  was  gazetted  1  And  so  I  was  a  soldier  at  last !  the  first 
wish  of  my  boyhood  was  then  really  accomplished.  And 
iny  uncle — what  will  he  say  ? — what  will  he  think  ? 

"  A  letter,  sir,  by  the  post,"  Raid  Mike,  at  the  moment. 

I  seized  it  eagerly ;  it  came  from  home,  but  was  in 
Considine's  handwriting.  How  my  heart  failed  me  as  I 
turned  to  look  at  the  seal.  "  Thank  God !  "  said  I,  aloud, 
on  perceiving  that  it  was  a  red  one.  I  now  tore  it  open 
and  read : 

"  MY  DEAR  CHARLEY, — Godfrey  being  laid  up  with  the 
gout,  has  desired  me  to  write  to  you  by  this  day's  post. 
Your  appointment  to  the  14th,  notwithstanding  all  his 
prejudices  about  the  army,  has  given  him  sincere  pleasure. 
I  believe,  between  ourselves,  that  your  college  career,  of 
which  he  has  heard  something,  convinced  him  that  your 
forte  did  not  lie  in  the  classics  ;  you  know  I  said  so  always, 
but  nobody  minded  me.  Your  new  prospects,  are  all  that 
your  best  friends  could  wish  for  you :  you  begin  early ; 
your  corps  is  a  crack  one ;  you  are  ordered  for  service. 
What  could  you  have  more? 

"  Your  uncle  hopes,  if  you  can  get  a  few  days'  leave, 
that  you  will  come  down  here  before  you  join,  and  I  hope 
so  too  ;  for  he  is  unusually  low-spirited,  and  talks  about 
never  seeing  you  again,  and  all  that  sort  of  thing. 

"  I  have  written  to  Merivale,  your  colonel,  on  this  sub- 
ject, as  well  as  generally  on  your  behalf;  we  were  cornets 
together  forty  years  ago  ;  a  strict  fellow  you'll  find  him, 


THE    PIKENIX   PARK.  16S 

but  a  trump  on  service.  If  you  can't  manage  the  leave, 
write  a  long  letter  home  at  all  events  ;  and  so  God  bless 
you,  and  all  success  ! 

**  Yours,  sincerely, 

"W.    CONSIDINE. 

"  I  had  thought  of  writing  you  a  long  letter  of  advice 
for  your  new  career,  and,  indeed,  half  accomplished  one. 
After  all,  however,  I  can  tell  you  little  that  your  own  good 
sense  will  not  teach  you  as  you  go  on,  and  experience  is 
ever  better  than  precept.  I  know  of  but  one  rule  in  life 
which  admits  of  scarcely  any  exception,  and  having  fol- 
lowed it  upwards  of  sixty  years,  approve  of  it  only  tbo 
more.  Never  quarrel  when  yon  can  help  it ;  but  meet  any 
man — your  tailor,  your  hairdresser — if  he  wishes  to  have 
you  out. 

«  W.C." 

I  had  scarcely  come  to  the  end  of  this  very  character- 
istic epistle,  when  two  more  letters  were  placed  upon  my 
table.  One  was  from  Sir  George  Dashwood,  inviting  me 
to  dinner,  to  meet  some  of  my  "  brother  officers."  How 
my  heart  beat  at  the  expression.  The  other  was  a  short 
note,  marked  "  Private,"  from  my  late  tutor,  Dr.  Mooney, 
saying,  "  that  if  I  made  a  suitable  apology  to  the  Bursar 
for  the  late  affair  at  my  room,  he  might  probably  be  induced 
to  abandon  any  further  step  ;  otherwise  " — then  followed 
innumerable  threats  about  fine,  penalties,  expulsion,  &c., 
that  fell  most  harmlessly  upon  my  ears.  I  accepted  the 
invitation ;  declined  the  apology  ;  and,  having  ordered  my 
horse,  cantered  off  to  the  barracks  to  consult  my  friend 
Power  as  to  all  the  minor  details  of  my  career. 

£.8  the  dinner  hour  grew  near,  my  thoughts  became 
again  fixed  upon  Miss  Dashwood,  and  a  thousand  misgiv- 
ings crossed  my  mind  as  to  whether  I  should  have  nervo 
enough  to  meet  her,  without  disclosing  in  my  manner  the 
altered  state  of  my  feelings,  a  possibility  which  I  now 
dreaded  fully  as  much  as  I  had  longed  some  days  before 
to  avow  my  affection  for  her,  however  slight  its  prospects 
of  return.  All  my  valiant  resolves,  and  well-contrived 
plans  for  appearing  unmoved  and  indifferent  in  her  pre- 
sence, with  which  I  stored  my  mind  while  dressing  and 


164  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

when  oij  the  way  to  dinner,  were,  however,  needless,  for 
it  was  a  party  exclusively  of  men  ;  and,  as  the  coffee  was 
served  in  the  dinner-room,  no  move  was  made  to  the 
drawing-room  by  any  of  the  company.  "  Quite  as  well  as 
it  is  ! "  was  my  muttered  opinion,  as  I  got  into  my  cab  at 
the  door.  "  All  is  at  an  end  as  regards  me  in  her  esteem, 
and  I  must  not  spend  my  days  sighing  for  a  young  lady 
that  cares  for  another."  Very  reasonable,  very  proper 
resolutions  these;  but,  alas!  I  went  home  to  bed,  only  to 
think  half  the  night  long  of  the  fail  Lucy,  and  dream  of 
her  the  remainder  of  it. 

When  morning  dawned,  my  first  thought  was,  Shall 
I  see  her  once  more?  shall  I  leave  her  for  ever  thus 
abruptly  ?  or,  rather,  shall  I  not  unburthen  my  bosom  of 
its  secret,  confess  my  love,  and  say  farewell?  I  felt  such 
a  course  much  more  in  unison  with  my  wishes  than  the 
day  before  ;  and,  as  Power  had  told  me  that,  before  a  week, 
we  should  present  ourselves  at  Fermoy,  1  knew  that  no 
time  was  to  be  lost. 

My  determination  was  taken.  I  ordered  my  horse,  and, 
early  as  it  was,  rode  out  to  the  Royal  Hospital.  My  heart 
beat  so  strongly  as  I  rode  up  to  the  door,  that  I  half 
resolved  to  return.  I  rang  the  bell.  Sir  George  was  in 
town.  Miss  Dashwood  had  just  gone  five  minutes  before 
to  spend  some  days  at  Carton.  "  It  is  fate  !  "  thought  I, 
as  1  turned  from  the  spot,  and  walked  slowly  beside  my 
horse  towards  Dublin. 

Tn  the  few  days  that  intervened  before  my  leaving  town, 
my  time  was  occupied  from  morning  to  night ;  the  various 
details  of  my  uniform,  outfit,  &c.,  were  undertaken  for 
me  by  Power.  My  horses  were  sent  for  to  Gal  way,  and  I 
myself,  with  innumerable  persons  to  see,  and  a  mass  of 
business  to  transact,  contrived,  at  least  three  times  a  day, 
to  ride  out  to  the  Royal  Hospital,  always  to  make  some 
trifling  inquiry  for  Sir  George,  and  always  to  hear  repeated 
that  Miss  Dashwood  had  not  returned. 

Thus  passed  five  of  my  last  six  days  in  Dublin,  and,  as 
the  morning  of  the  last  opened,  it  was  with  a  sorrowing 
spirit  that  I  felt  my  hour  of  departure  approach,  with- 
out one  only  opportunity  of  seeing  Lucy,  even  to  say 
good-bye. 

While  Mike  was  packing  in  one  corner,  and  I  in  another 


THE    PHCENIX   PARK.  165 

was  concluding  a  long  letter  to  my  poor  uncle,  my  door 
opened  and  Webber  entered. 

"  Eh,  O'Malley,  I'm  only  in  time  to  say  adieu  !  it  seems. 
To  my  surprise  this  morning  I  found  you  had  cut  the 
'  Silent  Sister.'  I  feared  I  should  be  too  late  to  catch  one 
glimpse  of  you  ere  you  started  for  the  wars." 

"  You  are  quite  right,  Master  Frank,  and  I  scarcely 
expected  to  have  seen  you.  Your  last  brilliant  achieve- 
ment at  Sir  George's  very  nearly  involved  me  in  a  serious 
scrape." 

"  A  mere  trifle.  How  confoundedly  silly  Power  must 
have  looked,  eh  ?  Should  like  so  much  to  have  seen  his 
face.  He  booked  up  next  day — very  proper  fellow.  By 
the  bye,  O'Malley,  I  rather  like  the  little  girl;  she  is 
decidedly  pretty ;  and  her  foot — did  you  remark  her  foot  ? 
— capital." 

"  Yes,  she's  very  good-looking,"  said  I,  carelessly. 

"  I'm  thinking  of  cultivating  her  a  little,"  said  Webber, 
pulling  up  his  cravat  and  adjusting  his  hair  at  the  glass. 
"  She's  spoiled  by  all  the  tinsel  vapouring  of  her  hussar 
and  aide-de-camp  acquaintances ;  but  something  may  be 
done  for  her,  eh  ?  " 

"  With  your  most  able  assistance  and  kind  intentions." 

"  That's  what  I  mean  exactly.  Sorry  you're  going — 
devilish  sorry.  You  served  out  Stone  gloriously  :  perhaps 
it's  as  well,  though ;  you  know  they'd  have  expelled  you : 
but  still  something  might  turn  up ;  soldiering  is  a  bad 
style  of  thing,  eh  ?  How  the  old  General  did  take  his 
sister-in-law's  presence  to  heart.  But  he  must  forgive  and 
forget,  for  I'm  going  to  be  very  great  friends  with  him  and 
Lucy.  Where  are  you  going  now  ?  " 

"  I'm  about  to  try  a  new  horse  before  troops,"  said  I. 
"  He's  staunch  enough  with,  the  cry  of  the  fox-pack  in  his 
ears,  but  I  don't  know  how  he'll  stand  a  peal  of  artillery." 

"  Well,  come  along,"  said  Webber  ;  "  I'll  ride  with 
you."  So  saying,  we  mounted  and  set  off  to  the  Park,  where 
two  regiments  of  cavalry  and  some  horse  artillery  were 
ordered  for  inspection. 

The  review  was  over  when  we  reached  the  exercising 
ground,  and  we  slowly  walked  our  horses  towards  the  end 
of  the  Park,  intending  to  return  to  Dublin  by  the  road. 
We  had  not  proceeded  far,  when,  some  hundred  yards 


166  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

in  advance,  we  perceived  an  officer  riding  with  a  lady, 
followed  by  an  orderly  dragoon. 

"  There  he  goes,"  said  Webber ;  "  I  wonder  if  he'd  ask 
me  to  dinner,  if  I  were  to  throw  myself  in  his  way  ?  " 

"  Who  do  you  mean  ?  "  said  I. 

"  Sir  George  Dash  wood,  to  be  sure,  and,  la  voila,  Miss 
Lucy.  The  little  darling  rides  well,  too :  how  squarely 
she  sits  her  horse.  O'Malley,  I've  a  weakness  there  ;  upon 
luy  soul  I  have." 

"  Very  possible,"  said  I ;  "  I  am  aware  of  another  friend 
of  mine  participating  in  the  sentiment." 

"  One  Charles  O'Malley,  of  his  Majesty's " 

"  Nonsense,  man — no,  no.  I  mean  a  very  different 
person,  and,  for  all  I  can  see,  with  some  reason  to  hope 
for  success." 

"  Oh,  as  to  that,  we  flatter  ourselves  the  thing  does  not 
present  any  very  considerable  difficulties." 

"  As  how,  pray  ?  " 

"  Why,  of  course,  like  all  such  matters,  a  very  decisive 
determination  to  be,  to  do,  and  to  suffer,  as  Lindley  Murray 
sa\  s,  carries  the  day.  Tell  her  she's  an  angel  every  day 
for  three  weeks.  She  may  laugh  a  little  at  first,  but  she'll 
believe  it  in  the  end.  Tell  her  that  you  have  not  the 
slightest  prospect  of  obtaining  her  affection,  but  still  per- 
sist in  loving  her.  That,  finally,  you  must  die  from  the 
effects  of  despair,  &c.,  but  rather  like  the  notion  of  it  than 
otherwise.  That  you  know  she  has  no  fortune  ;  that  you 
haven't  a  sixpence  ;  and  who  should  marry,  if  people  whose 
position  in  the  world  was  similar  did  not?  " 

"  But  halt ;  pray,  how  are  you  to  get  time  and  place 
for  all  such  interesting  conversations  ?  " 

"  Time  and  place !  Good  Heavens,  what  a  question  ! 
Is  not  every  hour  of  the  twenty-four  the  fittest  ?  Is  not 
every  place  the  most  suitable?  A  sudden  pause  in  the 
organ  of  St.  Patrick's  did,  it  is  true,  catch  me  once  in  a 
declaration  of  love,  but  the  choir  came  in  to  my  aid,  and 
drowned  the  lady's  answer.  My  dear  O'Malley,  what 
could  prevent  you  this  instant,  if  you  are  so  disposed, 
from  doing  the  amiable  to  the  darling  Lucy,  there  ?  " 

"  With  the  father  for  an  umpire,  in  case  we  disagreed," 
said  I. 

"  Not  at  all.     I  should  soon  get  rid  of  him  " 


THE   PHCENIX  PARK.  167 

"  Impossible,  my  dear  friend." 

"  Come  now,  just  for  the  sake  of  convincing  yonr 
obstinacy.  If  you  like  to  say  good-bye  to  the  little  girl 
without  a  witness,  I'll  take  off  the  he-dragon." 

*'  You  don't  mean " 

"  I  do,  man — I  do  mean  it."  So  saying,  he  drew  a 
crimson  silk  handkerchief  from  his  pocket,  and  fastened 
it  round  his  waist  like  an  officer's  sash.  This  done,  and 
telling  me  to  keep  in  their  wake  for  some  minutes,  he 
turned  from  me,  and  was  soon  concealed  by  a  copse  of 
whitethorn  near  us. 

I  hadn't  gone  above  a  hundred  yards  farther  when  I 
heard  Sir  George's  voice  calling  for  the  orderly.  I 
looked,  and  saw  Webber  at  a  considerable  distance  in 
front,  curveting  and  playing  all  species  of  antics.  The 
distance  between  the  General  and  myself  was  now  so 
short,  that  I  overheard  the  following  dialogue  with  his 
orderly : 

*'  He's  not  in  uniform,  then  ?  " 

"  No,  sir  ;  he  has  a  round  hat." 

••  A  round  hat !  " 

"  His  sash " 

"  A  sword  and  sash.  This  is  too  bad.  I'm  determined 
to  find  him  out." 

"  How  d'ye  do,  General  ?  "  cried  Webber,  as  he  rode 
towards  the  trees. 

"  Stop,  sir!"  shouted  Sir  George. 

"  Good  day,  Sir  George,"  replied  Webber,  retiring. 

"  Stay  where  you  are,  Lucy,"  said  the  General,  as,  dash- 
ing spui-s  into  his  horse,  he  sprang  forward  at  a  gallop, 
incensed  beyond  endurance  that  his  most  strict  orders 
should  be  so  openly  and  insultingly  transgressed. 

Webber  led  on  to  a  deep  hollow,  where  the  road  passed 
between  two  smooth  slopes,  covered  with  furze  trees,  and 
from  which  it  emerged  afterwards  in  the  thickest  and 
most  intricate  part  of  the  Park.  Sir  George  dashed 
boldly  after,  and  in  less  than  half  a  minute  both  were  lost 
to  my  view,  leaving  me  in  breathless  amazement  at  Master 
Frank's  ingenuity,  and  some  puzzle  as  to  my  own  future 
movements. 

"  Now  then,  or  never  !  "  said  I,  as  I  pushed  boldly  for- 
ward, and  in  an  instant  was  alongside  of  Miss  Dashwood. 


168  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

Her  astonishment  at  seeing  me  so  suddenly,  increased 
the  confusion  from  which  I  felt  myself  suffering,  and,  for 
some  minutes,  I  could  scarcely  speak.  At  last,  I  plucked 
up  courage  a  little,  and  said, — 

"  Miss  Dashwood,  I  have  looked  most  anxiously,  for 
the  last  four  days,  for  the  moment  which  chance  has  now 
given  me.  I  wished,  before  I  parted  for  ever  with  those 
to  whom  I  owe  already  so  much,  that  I  should,  at  least, 
speak  my  gratitude  ere  I  said  good-bye." 

"  But  when  do  you  think  of  going  ?  " 

"  To-morrow.  Captain  Power,  under  whose  command 
I  am,  has  received  orders  to  embark  immediately  for 
Portugal." 

I  thought — perhaps  it  was  but  a  thought — that  her 
cheek  grew  somewhat  paler  as  I  spoke ;  but  she  remained 
silent;  and  I,  scarcely  knowing  wha,t  I  had  said,  or 
whether  I  had  finished,  spoke  not  either. 

"  Papa,  I'm  sure,  is  not  aware,"  said  she,  after  a  long 
pause,  "  of  your  intention  of  leaving  so  soon ;  for,  only 
last  night,  he  spoke  of  some  letters  he  meant  to  give  you. 
to  some  friends  in  the  Peninsula;  besides,  I  know" — 
here  she  smiled  faintly — "  that  he  destined  some  excellent 
advice  for  your  ears,  as  to  your  new  path  in  life,  for  he 
has  an  immense  opinion  of  the  value  of  such  to  a  young 
officer." 

"  I  am,  indeed,  most  grateful  to  Sir  George,  and  truly 
never  did  any  one  stand  more  in  need  of  counsel  than  I 
do."  This  was  said  half  musingly,  and  not  intended  to 
be  heard. 

"  Then,  pray,  consult  papa,"  said  she,  eagerly ;  "  he  is 
much  attached  to  you,  and  will,  I  am  certain,  do  all  in  his 
power " 

"  Alas !  I  fear  not,  Miss  Dashwood." 

"  Why,  what  can  you  mean  ?  Has  anything  so  serious 
occurred  ?  " 

"  No,  no ;  I'm  but  misleading  you,  and  exciting  your 
sympathy  with  false  pretences.  Should  I  tell  you  all  the 
truth,  you  would  not  pardon,  perhaps  not  hear  me." 

"  You  have,  indeed,  puzzled  me ;  but  if  there  is  any- 
thing in  which  my  father " 

"  Less  him  than  his  daughter,"  said  I,  fixing  my  eyes 
full  upon  her  as  I  spoke.  "  Yes,  Lucy,  I  feel  I  must 


THE    PH<ENIX   PARK.  169 

confess  it,  cost  what  it  may,  I  love  you ;  stay,  hear  me  out: 
I  know  the  fruitlessness,  the  utter  despair,  that  a  \vnits 
such  a  sentiment.  My  own  heart  tells  me  that  I  am  not, 
cannot  be,  loved  in  return ;  yet,  would  I  rather  cherish  in 
its  core  my  affection  slighted  and  unblessed,  such  as  it  is, 
than  own  another  heart.  I  ask  for  nothing,  I  hope  for 
nothing ;  I  merely  entreat  that,  for  my  truth,  I  may  meet 
belief,  and,  for  my  heart's  worship  of  her  whom  alone  I  can 
love,  compassion.  I  see  that  you  at  least  pity  me.  Nay, 
one  word  more ;  I  have  one  favour  more  to  ask ;  it  is 
my  last,  my  only  one.  Do  not,  when  time  and  distance 
may  have  separated  us— perhaps  for  ever — think  that  the 
expressions  I  now  use  are  prompted  by  a  mere  sudden 
ebullition  of  boyish  feeling — do  not  attribute  to  the  cir- 
cumstance of  my  youth  alone  the  warmth  of  the  attach- 
ment I  profess  ;  for  I  swear  to  yon,  by  every  hope  I  have, 
that,  in  my  heart  of  hearts,  my  love  to  you  is  the  source 
and  spring  of  every  action  in  my  life,  of  every  aspiration 
in  my  heart ;  and,  when  I  cease  to  love  you,  I  shall  cease 
to  feel. 

"  And  now,  farewell — farewell  for  ever."  I  pressed  her 
hand  to  my  lips,  gave  one  long,  last  look,  turned  my  horse 
rapidly  away,  and,  ere  a  minute,  was  far  out  of  sight  of 
where  I  had  left  her. 


170  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 


CHAPTER  XXIL 


POWER  was  detained  in  town  by  some  orders  from  the 
Adjutant-General,  so  that  I  started  for  Cork  the  next 
morning,  with  no  other  companion  than  my  servant  Mike. 
For  the  first  few  stages  upon  the  road,  my  own  thoughts 
sufficiently  occupied  me,  to  render  me  insensible  or  in- 
different to  all  else.  My  opening  career — the  prospects 
my  new  life  as  a  soldier  held  out — my  hopes  of  distinction 
— my  love  of  Lucy,  with  all  its  train  of  doubts  and  fears — 
passed  in  review  before  me,  and  I  took  no  note  of  time  till 
far  past  noon.  I  now  looked  to  the  back  part  of  the  coach, 
where  Mike's  voice  had  been,  as  usual,  in  the  ascendant 
for  some  time,  and  perceived  that  he  was  surrounded  by 
an  eager  auditory  of  four  raw  recruits,  who,  under  the  care 
of  a  sergeant,  were  proceeding  to  Cork  to  be  enrolled  in 
their  regiment.  The  sergeant,  whose  minutes  of  wakeful- 
ness  were  only  those  when  the  coach  stopped  to  change 
horses  and  when  he  got  down  to  mix  a  "  summat  hot," 
paid  little  attention  to  his  followers,  leaving  them  perfectly 
free  in  all  their  movements,  to  listea  to  Mike's  eloquence, 
and  proit  by  his  suggestions,  should  they  deem  fit. 
Master  Michael's  services  to  his  new  acquaintances,  I 
began  to  perceive,  were  not  exactly  of  the  same  nature  as 
Dibdin  is  reported  to  have  rendered  to  our  navy  in  the 
late  war.  Far  from  it — his  theme  was  no  contemptuous 
disdain  for  danger — no  patriotic  enthusiasm  to  fight  for 
home  and  country — no  proud  consciousness  of  British 
valour,  mingled  with  the  appropriate  hatred  of  our  mutual 
enemies ;  on  the  contrary,  Mike's  eloquence  was  enlisted 
for  the  defendant.  He  detailed,  and  in  no  unimpressive 
way  either,  the  hardships  of  a  soldier's  life :  its  dangers, 
its  vicissitudes,  its  chances,  its  possible  penalties,  its  in- 
evitably small  rewards  ;  and,  in  fact,  so  completely  did  he 
work  on  the  feelings  of  his  hearers,  that  I  perceived  more 
than  one  glance  exchanged  between  the  victims,  that  cer- 


THE    ROAD.  171 

tuinly  betokened  anything  save  the  resolve  to  tight  for  King 
George.  It  was  at  the  close  of  a  long  and  most  powerful 
appeal  upon  the  superiority  of  any  other  line  of  life,  petty 
larceny  and  small  felony  inclusive,  that  he  concluded  with 
the  following  quotation : 
"  Thrue  for  ye  boys ! 

•*  '  With  your  red  scarlet  coat, 
You're  as  proud  as  a  goat, 
And  your  long  cap  and  feather.' 

But,  by  the  piper  that  played  before  Moses !  it's  more 
whipping  nor  gingerbread  is  going  on  amongst  them,  av 
ye  knew  but  all,  and  heerd  the  misfortune  that  happened 
to  my  father." 

"  And  was  he  a  sodger  ?  "  inquired  one. 

"Troth  was  he,  more  sorrow  to  him,  and  wasn't  he 
a'most  whipped  one  day,  for  doing  what  he  was  bid  ?  " 

"  Musha,  but  that  was  hard." 

"  To  be  sure  it  was  hard ;  but,  faix,  when  my  father  seen 
that  they  didn't  know  their  own  minds,  he  thought,  any- 
how, he  knew  his,  so  he  ran  away,  and  devil  a  bit  of  him 
they  ever  cotoh  afther.  Maybe,  ye  might  like  to  hear  the 
story,  and  there's  instruction  in  it  for  yez  too." 

A  general  request  to  this  end  being  preferred  by  the 
company,  Mike  took  a  shrewd  look  at  the  sergeant,  to  be 
sure  that  he  was  still  sleeping,  settled  his  coat  comfortably 
across  his  knees,  and  began: 

"  Well,  it's  a  good  many  years  ago  my  father  'listed  in 
the  North  Cork,  just  to  oblige  Mr.  Barry,  the  landlord 
there ;  '  for,'  says  he,  '  Phil,'  says  he,  '  it's  not  a  soldier 
ye'll  be  at  all,  but  my  own  man,  to  brush  my  clothes  and 
go  errands,  and  the  like  o'  that ;  and  the  King,  long  life  to 
him  I  will  help  to  pay  ye  for  your  trouble.  Ye  understand 
me  ?  '  Well,  my  father  agreed,  and  Mr.  Barry  was  as 
good  as  his  word.  Never  a  guard  did  my  father  mount, 
nor  as  much  as  a  drill  had  he,  nor  a  roll-call,  nor  anything 
at  all,  save  and  except  wait  on  the  Captain,  his  master, 
just  as  pleasant  as  need  be,  and  no  inconvenience  in  life. 

"  Well,  for  three  years  this  went  on  as  I  am  telling,  and 
the  regiment  was  ordered  down  to  Bantry,  because  of  a 
report  that  the  '  boys '  was  rising  down  there ;  and  the 

Vol.  30—<7) 


172  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

Kecond  evening  there  was  a  night  party  patrolling  with 
Captain  Barry  for  six  hours  in  the  rain,  and  the  Captain, 
God  be  marciful  to  him !  tuk  could  and  died ;  more  by 
token,  they  said  it  was  drink,  but  my  father  says  it  wasn't ; 
*  for,'  says  he,  '  after  he  tuk  eight  tumblers  comfortable,' 
my  father  mixed  the  ninth,  and  the  Captain  waved  his 
hand  this  way,  as  much  as  to  say  he'd  have  no  more.  '  Is 
it  that  ye  mean  ?  '  says  my  father.  And  the  Captain 
nodded.  '  Musha,  but  it's  sorry  I  am,'  says  my  father,  '  to 
gee  you  this  way,  for  ye  must  be  bad  entirely  to  leave  off 
in  the  beginning  of  the  evening.'  And  thrue  for  him, 
the  Captain  was  dead  in  the  morning. 

*'  A  sorrowful  day  it  was  for  my  father  when  he  died. 
It  was  the  finest  place  in  the  world  ;  little  to  do  ;  plenty 
of  divarsion ;  and  a  kind  man  he  was — when  he  was 
drunk.  Well,  then,  when  the  Captain  was  buried  and  all 
was  over,  my  father  hoped  they'd  be  for  letting  him  away, 
as  he  said,  '  Sure,  I'm  no  use  in  life  to  anybody,  save  the 
man  that's  gone,  for  his  ways  are  all  I  know,  and  I  never 
was  a  sodger.'  But,  upon  my  conscience,  they  had  other 
thoughts  in  their  heads  ;  for  they  ordered  him  into  the 
ranks  to  be  drilled  just  like  the  recruits  they  took  the 
day  before. 

"  '  Musha,  isn't  this  hard  ?  '  said  my  father.  '  Here  I  am, 
an  ould  vitrin  that  ought  to  be  discharged  on  a  pension, 
with  two-and-sixpence  a  day,  obliged  to  go  capering  about 
the  barrack-yard  practising  the  goose-step,  or  some  other 
nonsense  not  becoming  my  age  nor  my  habits.'  But  so  it 
was  Well,  this  went  on  for  some  time,  and,  sure,  if  they 
were  hard  on  my  father,  hadn't  he  his  revenge,  for  he 
nigh  broke  their  hearts  with  his  stupidity.  Oh  !  nothing 
in  life  could  equal  him  ;  devil  a  thing,  no  matter  how 
easy,  he  could  learn  at  all,  and  so  far  from  caring  for  being 
in  confinement,  it  was  that  he  liked  best.  Every  sergeant 
in  the  regiment  had  a  trial  of  him,  but  all  to  no  good  ; 
and  he  seemed  striving  so  hard  to  learn  all  the  while  that 
they  were  loath  to  punish  him,  the  ould  rogue ! 

"  This  was  going  on  for  some  time,  when,  one  day,.news 
came  in  that  a  body  of  the  rebels,  as  they  called  them, 
was  coming  down  from  the  Gap  of  Mulnavick  to  storm 
the  town  and  burn  all  before  them.  The  whole  regiment 
was  of  course  under  arms,  and  great  preparations  was 


THE    ROAD.  173 

marie  for  a  battle.  Meanwhile,  patrols  were  ordered  to 
ecour  the  roads,  and  sentries  posted  at  every  turn  of  the 
way  and  every  rising  ground  to  give  warning  when  the 
boys  came  in  sight;  and  my  father  was  placed  at  the 
Bridge  of  Drumsnag,  in  the  wildest  and  bleakest  part  of 
the  whole  country  with  nothing  but  furze  mountains  on 
every  side,  and  a  straight  road  going  over  the  top  of  them. 

'*  '  This  is  pleasant,'  says  my  father,  as  soon  as  they  left 
him  there  alone  by  him>elf,  with  no  human  creature  to 
speak  to,  nor  a  whisky-shop  within  ten  miles  of  him  ; 
*  cowld  comfort,'  says  he,  '  on  a  winter's  day,  and  faix,  but 
I  have  a  mind  to  give  ye  the  slip.' 

"  Well,  he  put  his  gun  down  on  the  bridge  and  he  lit 
his  pipe,  and  he  sat  down  under  an  ould  tree  and  began  to 
ruminate  upon  his  affairs. 

"  '  Oh,  then,  it's   wishing  it  well  I  am,'  says  be,  '  for 
sodgering ;  and  bad  luck  to  the  hammer  that  struck  th 
shilling  that  listed  me,  that's  all,'  for  he  was  mighty  lo\ 
in  his  heart. 

"  Just  then  a  noise  came  rattling  down  near  him.  He 
listened,  and,  before  he  could  get  on  his  legs,  down  comes 
the  (General,  ould  Cohoon,  with  an  orderly  after  him. 

"  '  Who  goes  that  ? '  says  my  father. 

"  '  The  round,'  says  the  General,  looking  about  all  the 
time  to  see  where  was  the  sentry,  for  my  father  was  snug 
under  the  tree. 

"  '  What  round  ?  '  says  my  father. 

"  '  The  grand  round,'  says  the  General,  more  puzzled 
than  afore. 

"  '  Pass  on,  grand  round,  and  God  save  you  kindly ! ' 
says  my  father,  putting  his  pipe  in  his  mouth  again,  for  he 
thought  all  was  over. 

"  '  D — n  your  soul,  where  are  you  P  '  says  the  General, 
for  sorrow  bit  of  n.y  father  could  he  see  yet. 

"  '  It's  here  I  am,'  says  he,  '  and  a  cowld  place  I  have 
of  it ;  and  if  it  wasn't  for  the  pipe  I'd  be  lost  entirely.' 

"  The  words  wasn't  well  out  of  his  mouth  when  the 
General  began  laughing  till  ye'd  think  he'd  fall  off  his 
horse  ;  and  the  dragoon  behind  him — more  by  token,  they 
say  it  wasn't  right  for  him — laughed  as  loud  as  himself. 

"  '  Yer  a  droll  sentry/  gays  the  General,  as  soon  as  he 
could  speak. 


174  CHARLES  O'MALLBY. 

"  '  Be-gorra,  it's  little  fun  there's  left  in  me,'  says  my 
father,'  with  this  drilling,  and  parading,  and  blackguarding 
about  the  roads  all  night.' 

"  '  And  is  this  the  way  you  salute  your  officer  ?  '  says 
the  General. 

"  *  Just  so,'  says  my  father ;  *  devil  a  raora  politeness 
ever  they  taught  me.' 

"  *  What  regiment  do  you  belong  to  ? '  says  the  General. 

*  *  The  North  Cork,  bad  luck  to  them ! '  says  my  father, 
with  a  sigh. 

"  *  They  ought  to  be  proud  of  ye,'  says  the  General. 

"  '  I'm  sorry  for  it,'  says  my  father,  sorrowfully,  '  for 
maybe  they'll  keep  me  the  longer.' 

"  *  Well,  my  good  fellow,'  says  the  General,  '  I  haven't 
more  time  to  waste  here ;  but  let  me  teach  you  somethii  g 
before  I  go.  Whenever  your  officer  passes,  it's  your  duty 
to  present  to  him.' 

'*  '  Arrah,  it's  jokin'  ye  are,'  says  my  father. 

"  '  No,  I'm  in  earnest,'  says  he,  '  as  ye  might  learn,  to 
your  cost,  if  I  brought  you  to  a  court-martial.' 

"'Well,  there's  no  knowing,'  says  my  father,  'what 
they'd  be  up  to ;  but  sure,  if  that's  all,  I'll  do  it,  with 
all  "  the  veins,"  whenever  yer  coming  this  way  again.' 

"  The  General  began  to  laugh  again  here ;  but  said, — 

'* '  I'm  coming  back  in  the  evening,'  says  he,  '  and  mind 
you  don't  forget  your  respect  to  your  officer.' 

"  '  Never  fear,  sir,'  says  my  father :  '  and  many  thanks 
to  you  for  your  kindness  for  telling  me.' 

"  Away  went  the  General,  and  the  orderly  after  him, 
and,  in  ten  minutes,  they  were  out  of  sight. 

"  The  night  was  falling  fast,  and  one  half  of  the  moun- 
tain was  quite  dark  already,  when  my  father  began  to 
think  they  were  forgetting  him  entirely.  He  looked  one 
way,  and  he  looked  another,  but  sorra  bit  of  a  sergeant's 
guard  was  coming  to  relieve  him.  There  he  was,  fresh 
and  fasting,  and  daren't  go  for  the  bare  life.  '  I'll  give 
you  a  quarter  of  an  hour  more,'  says  my  father,  '  till  the 
light  leaves  that  rock  up  there;  after  that,'  says  he,  'by 
the  mass  !  I'll  be  off,  av  it  cost  me  what  it  may.' 

"  Well,  sure  enough,  his  courage  was  not  needed  this 
time;  for  what  did  he  see  at  the  same  moment,  but  a 
shadow  of  something  coming  down  the  road  opposite  the 


THE   ROAD.  175 

bridge.  He  looked  again;  and  then  he  made  out  the 
General  himself,  that  was  walking  his  horse  down  the 
steep  part  of  the  mountain,  followed  by  the  orderly.  My 
father  immediately  took  up  his  musket  off  the  wall,  settled 
his  belts,  shook  the  ashes  out  of  his  pipe,  and  put  it  into 
his  pocket,  making  himself  as  smart  and  neat-looking  as 
he  could  be,  determining,  when  onld  Cohoon  came  up,  to 
ask  him  for  leave  to  go  home,  at  least  for  the  night.  Well, 
by  this  time  the  General  was  turning  a  sharp  part  of  the 
cliff  that  looks  down  upon  the  bridge,  from  where  you 
might  look  five  miles  round  on  every  side.  '  He  sees  me,'  says 
my  father ;  '  but  I'll  be  just  as  quick  as  himself.'  No 
sooner  said  than  done ;  for,  coming  forward  to  the  parapet 
of  the  bridge,  he  up  with  his  musket  to  his  shoulder,  and 
presented  it  straight  at  the  General.  It  wasn't  well  there, 
when  the  officer  pulled  up  his  horse  quite  short,  and  shouted 
out,  '  Sentry  !  sentry  ! ' 

"'Anan?'  says  my  father,  still  covering  him. 

" '  Down  with  your  musket,  you  rascal.  Don't  you  see 
it's  the  grand  round  ?  ' 

u  '  To  bo  sure  I  do,'  says  my  father,  never  changing  for 
a  minute. 

"  *  The  ruffian  will  shoot  me,'  says  the  General. 

" '  Devil  a  fear,'  says  my  father,  '  av  it  doesn't  go  off  of 
itself.' 

" '  What  do  you  mean  by  that,  you  villain  ? '  says  the 
General,  scarcely  able  to  speak  with  fright,  for,  every  turn 
he  gave  on  his  horse,  my  father  followed  with  the  gun — 
'  what  do  you  mean  ? ' 

"  '  Sure,  ain't  I  presenting  ? '  says  my  father.  '  Blood 
an'  ages !  do  you  want  me  to  fire  next  ? ' 

"  With  that  the  General  drew  a  pistol  from  his  holster,  • 
and  took  deliberate  aim  at  my  father ;  and  there  they  both 
stood  for  five  minutes,  looking  at  each  other,  the  orderly 
all  the  while  breaking  his  heart  laughing  behind  a  rock  ; 
for,  ye  see,  the  General  knew  av  he  retreated  that  my 
father  might  fire  on  purpose,  and,  av  he  came  on,  that  he 
might  fire  by  chance ;  and  sorra  bit  he  knew  what  was 
best  to  be  done. 

"  '  Are  ye  going  to  pass  the  evening  up  there,  grand 
round?'  says  my  father;  'for  it's  tired  I'm  getting 
houldin'  this  so  long.' 


176  CHARLES  O'MALLEY.. 

"'Port  arms!'  shouted  the  General,  as  if  on  parade. 

"  *  Sure  I  can't,  till  yer  past,'  says  my  father,  angrily; 
'  and  my  hands  trembling  already.' 

"  *  By  Heavens  !  I  shall  be  shot,'  says  the  General. 

" '  Be-gorra,  it's  what  I'm  afraid  of,"  says  my  father ; 
and  the  words  wasn't  out  of  his  mouth  before  off  went 
the  musket — bang — and  down  fell  the  General,  smack  on 
the  ground,  senseless.  Well,  the  orderly  ran  out  at  this, 
and  took  him  up  and  examined  his  wound  ;  but  it  wasn't 
a  wound  at  all,  only  the  wadding  of  the  gun ;  for  my 
father — God  be  kind  to  him! — ye  see,  could  do  nothing 
right ;  and  so  he  bit  off  the  wrong  end  of  the  cartridge 
when  he  put  it  in  the  gun,  and,  by  reason,  there  was  no 
bullet  in  it.  Well,  from  that  day  after  they  never  got  a 
sight  of  him  ;  for,  the  instant  that  the  General  dropped, 
he  sprang  over  the  bridge- wall  and  got  away ;  and  what, 
between  living  in  a  lime-kiln  for  two  months,  eating 
nothing  but  blackberries  and  sloes,  and  other  disguises, 
he  never  returned  to  the  army,  but  ever  after  took  to  a 
civil  situation,  and  driv  a  hearse  for  many  years." 

How  far  Mike's  narrative  might  have  contributed  to  the 
support  of  his  theory,  I  am  unable  to  pronounce ;  for  his 
auditory  were,  at  some  distance  from  Cork,  made  to 
descend  from  their  lofty  position,  and  join  a  larger  body 
of  recruits,  all  proceeding  to  the  same  destination,  under 
a  strong  escort  of  infantry.  For  ourselves,  we  reached 
the  "beautiful  city"  in  due  time,  and  took  up  our  quarters 
at  the  Old  George  Hotel. 


177 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

CORK. 

THE  undress  rehearsal  of  a  new  piece,  with  its  dirty-booted 
actors,  its  cloaked  and  hooded  actresses  en  papillate,  bears 
about  the  same  relation  to  the  gala,  wax-lit,  and  bespangled 
ballet,  as  the  raw  young  gentleman  of  yesterday  to  the 
epauletted,  belted,  and  sabretasched  dragoon,  whose  trans- 
formation is  due  to  a  few  hours  of  head-quarters,  and  a 
few  interviews  with  the  Adjutant. 

So,  at  least,  I  felt  it ;  and  it  was  with  a  very  perfect 
concurrence  in  his  Majesty's  taste  in  a  uniform,  and  a 
most  entire  approval  of  the  regimental  tailor,  that  I 
strutted  down  George's  Street  a  few  days  after  my  arrival 
in  Cork.  The  transports  had  not  as  yet  come  round ; 
there  was  a  great  doubt  of  their  doing  so  for  a  week  or 
so  longer ;  and  I  found  myself,  as  the  dashing  Cornet,  the 
centre  of  a  thousand  polite  attentions  and  most  kind 
civilities. 

The  officer  under  whose  orders  I  was  placed  for  the 
time  was  a  great  friend  of  Sir  George  Dashwood's,  and 
paid  me,  in  consequence,  much  attention.  Major  Dai- 
ry m  pie  had  been  on  the  staff  from  the  commencement  of 
his  military  career — had  served  in  the  Commissariat  for 
some  time — was  much  on  foreign  stations ;  but  never,  by 
any  of  the  many  casualties  of  his  life,  had  seen  what  could 
be  called  service.  His  ideas  of  the  soldier's  profession, 
was,  therefore,  what  might  almost  be  as  readily  picked  up 
by  a  commission  in  the  battle-axe  guards,  as  one  in  his 
Majesty's  50th.  He  was  now  a  species  of  district  Pay- 
master employed  in  a  thousand  ways,  either  inspecting 
recruits,  examining  accounts,  revising  sick  certificates,  or 
receiving  contracts  for  mess  beef.  Whether  the  nature  of 
his  manifold  occupations  had  enlarged  the  sphere  of  hig 
talents  and  ambition,  or  whether  the  abilities  had  suggested 
the  variety  of  his  duties,  I  know  not ;  but  truly,  the  Major 
was  a  man  of  all  work.  No  sooner  did  a  young  ensign 


178  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

join  his  regiment  at  Cork,  than  Major  Dalryinple's  card 
was  left  at  his  quarters ;  the  next  day  came  the  Major  him- 
self ;  the  third  brought  an  invitation  to  dinner :  on  the 
fourth  he  was  told  to  drop  in,  in  the  evening ;  and,  from 
thenceforward,  he  was  the  ami  de  la  maison,  in  company 
with  numerous  others  as  newly-fledged  and  inexperienced 
as  himself. 

One  singular  feature  of  the  society  at  the  house  was 
that,  although  the  Major  was  as  well-known  as  the  flag  on 
Spike  Island,  yet,  somehow,  no  officer  above  the  rank  of 
an  ensign  was  ever  to  be  met  with  there.  It  was  not  that 
he  had  not  a  large  acquaintance ;  in  fact,  the  "  How  are 
you,  Major?" — "How  goes  it,  Dalrymple  ?  "  that  kept 
everlastingly  going  on  as  he  walked  the  streets,  proved 
the  reverse  ;  but,  strange  enough,  his  predilections  leaned 
towards  the  newly-gazetted,  far  before  the  bronzed  and 
seared  campaigners  who  had  seen  the  world,  and  knew 
more  about  it.  The  reasons  for  this  line  of  conduct  were 
twofold :  in  the  first  place,  there  was  not  an  article  of 
outfit,  from  a  stock  to  a  sword-belt,  that  he  could  not  and 
did  not  supply  to  the  young  officer ;  from  the  gorget  of 
the  infantry  to  the  shako  of  the  grenadier,  all  came  within 
his  province ;  not  that  he  actually  kept  a  magasin  of  these 
articles,  but  he  had  so  completely  interwoven  his  interests 
with  those  of  numerous  shopkeepers  in  Cork,  that  he 
rarely  entered  a  shop  over  whose  door  Dalrymple  and  Co. 
might  not  have  figured  on  the  signboard.  His  stables 
were  filled  with  a  perfect  infirmary  of  superannuated 
chargers,  fattened  and  conditioned  up  to  a  miracle,  and 
groomed  to  perfection.  He  could  get  you — only  you — 
about  three  dozen  of  sherry,  to  take  out  with  you  as  sea- 
store  ;  he  knew  of  such  a  servant;  he  chanced  upon  such 
a  camp- furniture  yesterday  in  his  walks ;  in  fact,  why  want 
for  anything?  His  resources  were  inexhaustible— hia 
kindness  unbounded. 

Then  money  was  no  object — hang  it,  you  could  pay 
when  you  liked — what  signified  it  ?  In  other  words,  a 
bill  at  thirty-one  days,  cashed  and  discounted  by  a  friend 
of  the  Major's,  would  always  do.  While  such  were  the 
unlimited  advantages  his  acquaintance  conferred,  the 
sphere  of  his  benefits  took  another  range.  The  Major 
had  two  daughters ;  Matilda  and  Fanny  were  as  well 


CORK.  179 

known  in  the  army  as  Lord  Fitzroy  Somerset  or  Picton, 
from  the  Isle  of  Wight  to  Halifax,  from  Cape  Coast  to 
Chatham,  from  Belfast  to  the  Bermudas.  Where  was  the 
eubaltern  who  had  not  knelt  at  the  shrine  of  one  or  the 
other,  if  not  of  both,  and  vowed  eternal  love  until  a  change 
of  quarters  ?  In  plain  words,  the  Major's  solicitude  for 
the  service  was  such,  that,  not  content  with  providing 
the  young  officer  with  all  the  necessary  outfit  of  his  pro- 
fession, he  longed  also  to  supply  him  with  a  comforter  for 
Lis  woes,  a  charmer  for  his  solitary  hours,  in  the  person 
of  one  of  his  amiable  daughters.  Unluckily,  however,  the 
necessity  for  a  wife  is  not  enforced  by  "  general  orders," 
as  is  the  cut  of  your  coat,  or  the  length  of  your  sabre ; 
consequently,  the  Major's  success  in  the  home  department 
of  his  diplomacy  was  not  destined  for  the  same  happy 
results  that  awaited  it  when  engaged  about  drill  trousers 
and  camp  kettles,  and  the  Misses  Dalrymple  remained 
Misses  through  every  clime  and  every  campaign.  And 
yet,  why  was  it  so  ?  It  is  hard  to  say.  What  would  men 
have  ?  Matilda  was  a  dark-haired,  dark-eyed,  romantic 
looking  girl,  with  a  tall  figure  and  a  slender  waist,  with 
more  poetry  in  her  head  than  would  have  turned  any 
ordinary  brain  ;  always  unhappy ;  in  need  of  consolation  ; 
never  meeting  with  the  kindred  spirit  that  understood 
her ;  destined  to  walk  the  world  alone,  her  fair  thoughts 
smothered  in  the  recesses  of  her  own  heart.  Devilish 
hard  to  stand  this,  when  you  began  in  a  kind  of  platonic 
friendship  on  both  sides.  More  than  one  poor  fellow 
nearly  succumbed,  particularly  when  she  came  to  quote 
Cowley,  and  told  him  with  tears  in  her  eyes, — 

"  There  are  hearts  that  live  and  love  alone,"  &c. 

I'm  assured  that  this  coup  de  grace  rarely  failed  in  being 
followed  by  a  downright  avowal  of  open  love,  which,  some- 
how, what  between  the  route  coming,  what  with  waiting 
for  leave  from  home,  &c.,  never  got  further  than  a  most 
tender  scene,  and  exchange  of  love  tokens  ;  and,  in  fact, 
such  became  so  often  the  termination,  that  Power  swears 
Matty  had  to  make  a  firm  resolve  about  cutting  off  any 
more  hair,  fearing  a  premature  baldness  during  the  re- 
cruiting season. 


180  CHARLES  O'MALLKT. 

Now,  Fanny  had  selected  another  arm  of  the  service. 
Her  hair  was  fair ;  her  eyes  blue,  laughing,  languishing — 
mischief-loving  blue,  with  long  lashes,  and  a  look  in  them 
that  was  wont  to  leave  its  impression  rather  longer  than 
you  exactly  knew  of ;  then,  her  figure  was  petite,  but  per- 
fect; her  feet  Canova  might  have  copied;  and  her  hand 
was  a  study  for  Titian  ;  her  voice,  too,  was  soft  and  musi- 
cal, but  lull  of  that  gaiete  de  coeur  that  never  fails  to  charm. 
While  her  sister's  style  was  il  penseroso,  hers  was  I 'allegro; 
every  imaginable  thing,  place,  or  person  supplied  food  for 
her  mirth,  and  her  sister's  lovers  all  came  in  for  their 
share.  She  hunted  with  Smith  Barry's  hounds ;  she 
yachted  with  the  Cove  Club ;  she  coursed,  practised  at  a 
mark  with  a  pistol,  and  played  chicken  hazard  with  all 
the  cavalry;  for,  let  it  be  remarked  as  a  physiological 
fact,  Matilda's  admirers  were  almost  invariably  taken  from 
the  infantry,  while  Fanny's  adorers  were  as  regularly  dra- 
goons. Whether  the  former  be  the  romantic  arm  of  the 
service,  and  the  latter  be  more  adapted  to  dull  realities, 
or  whether  the  phenomenon  had  any  other  explanation,  I 
leave  to  the  curious.  Now  this  arrangement,  proceeding 
upon  that  principle  which  has  wrought  such  wonders  in 
Manchester  and  Sheffield — the  division  of  labour — was  a 
most  wise  and  equitable  one ;  each  having  her  one  separate 
and  distinct  field  of  action,  interference  was  impossible ; 
not  but  that  when,  as  in  the  present  instance,  cavalry  was 
in  the  ascendant,  Fanny  would  willingly  spare  a  dragoon 
or  two  to  her  sister,  who  likewise  would  repay  the  debt 
when  occasion  offered. 

The  mamma — for  it  is  time  I  should  say  something  of 
the  head  of  the  family — was  an  excessively  fat,  coarse- 
looking,  dark-skinned  personage  of  some  fifty  years,  with 
a  voice  like  a  boatswain  in  a  quinsy.  Heaven  can  tell, 
perhaps,  why  the  worthy  Major  allied  his  fortunes  with 
hers,  for  she  was  evidently  of  a  very  inferior  rank  in 
society ;  could  never  have  been  aught  than  downright 
ugly ;  and  I  never  heard  that  she  brought  him  any  money. 
"  Spoiled  five,"  the  national  amusement  of  her  age  and  sex 
in  Cork,  scandal,  the  changes  in  the  army  list,  the  failures 
in  speculation  of  her  luckless  husband,  the  forlorn  for- 
tunes of  the  girls,  her  daughters,  kept  her  in  occupation  j 
and  her  days  were  passed  in  one  perpetual  unceasing 


OOBK.  181 

current  of  dissatisfaction  and  ill-temper  with  all  around, 
that  formed  a  heavy  counterpoise  to  the  fascinations  of 
the  young  ladies.  The  repeated  jiltings  to  which  they  had 
been  subject  had  blunted  any  delicacy  upon  the  score  of 
their  marriage,  and  if  the  newly-introduced  cornet  or 
ensign  was  not  coming  forward,  as  became  him,  at  the 
end  of  the  requisite  number  of  days,  he  was  sure  of  re- 
ceiving a  very  palpable  admonition  from  Mrs.  Dalrymple. 
Hints,  at  first  dimly  shadowed,  that  Matilda  was  not  in 
spirits  this  morning ;  that  Fanny,  poor  child,  had  a  head- 
ache— directed  especially  at  the  culprit  in  question,  grew 
gradually  into  those  little  motherly  fondnesses  in  mamma, 
that,  like  the  fascinations  of  the  rattlesnake,  only  lure  on 
to  ruin.  The  doomed  man  was  pressed  to  dinner  when  all 
others  were  permitted  to  take  their  leave  ;  he  was  treated 
like  one  of  the  family,  God  help  him !  After  dinner,  the 
Major  would  keep  him  an  hour  over  his  wine,  discussing 
the  misery  of  an  ill-assorted  marriage ;  detailing  his  owi 
happiness  in  marrying  a  woman  like  the  Tonga  Islander 
I  have  mentioned ;  hinting  that  girls  should  be  brought 
up,  not  only  to  become  companions  to  their  husbands,  but 
with  ideas  fitting  their  station  ;  if  his  auditor  were  a 
military  man,  that  none  but  an  old  officer  (like  him)  could 
know  how  to  educate  girls  (like  his)  ;  and  that,  feeling  he 
possessed  two  such  treasures,  his  whole  aim  in  life  was  to 
guard  and  keep  them, — a  difficult  task,  when  proposals  of 
the  most  flattering  kind  were  coming  constantly  before 
him.  Then  followed  a  fresh  bottle,  during  which  the 
Major  would  consult  his  young  friend  upon  a  very  delicate 
affair,  no  less  than  a  proposition  for  the  hand  of  Miss 
Matilda,  or  Fanny,  whichever  he  was  supposed  to  be  soft 
upon.  This  was  generally  a  coup  de  maltre ;  should  he 
still  resist,  he  was  handed  over  to  Mrs.  Dalrymple,  with 
a  strong  indictment  against  him,  and  rarely  did  he  escape 
a  heavy  sentence.  Now,  is  it  not  strange,  that  two  really 
pretty  girls,  with  fully  enough  of  amiable  and  pleasing 
qualities  to  have  excited  the  attention  and  won  the  affec- 
tions of  many  a  man,  should  have  gone  on  for  years — for, 
alas  !  they  did  so  in  every  climate,  under  every  sun — to 
waste  their  sweetness  in  this  miserable  career  of  intrigue 
and  mantrap,  and  yet  nothing  come  of  it  ?  But  so  it  was  : 
the  first  question  a  newly-landed  regiment  was  asked,  if 


182  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

coming  from  where  they  resided,  was,  "  Well,  how  are  the 
girls  ?  "  "  Oh,  gloriously.  Matty  is  there."  "  Ah,  indeed ! 
poor  thing  ! "  "  Has  Fan  sported  a  new  habit  ?  "  "  Is  it 
the  old  grey  with  the  Hussar  braiding  ?  confound  it,  that 
was  seedy  when  I  saw  them  in  Corfu.  And  Mother  Dal 
as  fat  and  vulgar  as  ever  ?  "  "  Dawson  of  ours  was  the 
last,  and  was  called  up  for  sentence  when  we  were  ordered 
away :  of  course,  he  bolted,"  &c.  Such  was  the  in  variable 
style  of  question  and  answer  concerning  them ;  and,  al- 
though some  few,  either  from  good  feeling  or  fastidious- 
ness, relished  but  little  the  mode  in  which  it  had  become 
habitual  to  treat  them,  I  grieve  to  say  that,  generally,  they 
were  pronounced  fair  game  for  every  species  of  flirtation 
and  love-making  without  any  "  intentions  "  for  the  future. 
I  should  not  have  trespassed  so  far  upon  my  readers' 
patience,  were  I  not,  in  recounting  these  traits  of  my 
friends  above,  narrating  matters  of  history.  How  many 
Are  there  who  may  cast  their  eyes  upon  these  pages,  that 
will  say,  "  Poor  Matilda,  I  knew  her  at  Gibraltar.  Little 
Fanny  was  the  life  and  soul  of  us  all  in  Quebec." 

"  Mr.  O'Malley,"  said  the  Adjutant,  as  I  presented  myself 
in  the  afternoon  of  my  arrival  in  Cork,  to  a  short,  punchy, 
little  red- faced  gentleman,  in  a  short  jacket  and  ducks, 
"  you  are,  I  perceive,  appointed  to  the  14th ;  you  will  have 
the  goodness  to  appear  on  parade  to-morrow  morning. 

The  riding-school  hours  are — — .  The 

morning  drill  is ;  evening  drill  — — . 

Mr.  Minchin,  you  are  a  14th  man,  I  believe;  no,  I  beg 
pardon,  a  Carbineer,  but  no  matter — Mr.  O'Malley,  Mr. 
Minchin  ;  Captain  Dounie,  Mr.  O'Malley :  you'll  dine  with 
us  to-day,  and  to-morrow  you  shall  be  entered  at  the 
mess." 

"Yours  are  at  Santarem,  I  believe?"  said  an  old 
weather-beaten  looking  officer  with  one  arm. 

"  I'm  ashamed  to  say,  I  know  nothing  whatever  of  them 
— I  received  my  gazette  unexpectedly  enough." 

"  Ever  in  Cork  before,  Mr.  O'Malley  P  " 

"Never,"  said  I. 

"  Glorious  place,"  lisped  a  white-eyelashed,  knocker* 
kneed  Ensign ;  "  splendid  gals,  eh  ?  " 

"  Ah,  Brunton,"  said  Minchin,  "  you  may  boast  a  little, 
but  we  poor  devils " 


OOBK.  183 

"  Kuow  the  Dais  ?  "  said  the  hero  of  the  lisp,  addressing 
me. 

"  I  haven't  that  honour,"  I  replied,  scarcely  able  to  guess 
whether  what  he  alluded  to  were  objects  of  the  picturesque 
or  a  private  family 

"  Introduce  him,  then,  at  once,"  said  the  Adjutant ; 
"  we'll  all  go  in  the  evening.  What  will  the  old  squaw 
think  ?  " 

"  Not  I,"  said  Minchin.  "  She  wrote  to  the  Duke  ot 
York  about  my  helping  Matilda  at  supper,  and  not  having 
any  honourable  intentions  afterwards." 

"  We  dine  at  '  The  George  '  to-day,  Mr.  O'Malley,  sharp 
seven.  Until  then " 

So  saying,  the  little  man  bustled  back  to  his  accounts, 
and  I  took  my  leave  with  the  rest,  to  stroll  about  the 
town  till  dinner-time. 


CHAPTER   XXIV. 

THK  ADJUTANT'S  DINNER. 

THE  Adjutant's  dinner  was  as  professional  an  affair  as 
need  be.  A  circuit  or  a  learned  society  could  not  have 
been  more  exclusively  devoted  to  their  own  separate  and 
immediate  topics  than  were  we.  Pipeclay  in  all  its  varie- 
ties came  on  the  tapis ;  the  last  regulation  cap — the  new 
button — the  promotions — the  general  orders — the  Colonel, 
and  the  Colonel's  wife — stoppages,  and  the  mess  fund, 
were  all  well  and  ably  discussed  ;  and,  strange  enough, 
while  the  conversation  took  this  wide  range,  not  a  chance 
allusion  not  one  stray  hint,  ever  wandered  to  the  brave 
fellows  who  were  covering  the  army  with  glory  m  the 
Peninsula,  nor  one  souvenir  of  him  that  was  even  then 
enjoying  a  fame,  as  a  leader,  second  to  none  in  Europe. 


184  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

This  surprised  me  not  a  little  at  the  time ;  but  I  have, 
since  that,  learned  how  little  interest  the  real  services  of 
an  army  possess  for  the  ears  of  certain  officials,  who, 
stationed  at  home  quarters,  pass  their  inglorious  lives  in 
the  details  of  drill,  parade,  mess-room  gossip,  and  barrack 
Bcandal.  Such,  in  fact,  were  the  dons  of  the  present 
dinner.  We  had  a  Commissary- General,  an  inspecting 
Brigade-Major  of  something,  a  Physician  to  the  Forces, 
the  Adjutant  himself,  and  Major  Dairy mple;  the  oi  polloi 
consisting  of  the  raw  Ensign,  a  newly-fledged  Cornet  (Mr. 
Sparks),  and  myself. 

The  Commissary  told  some  very  pointless  stories  about 
his  own  department,  the  Doctor  read  a  dissertation  upon 
Walcheren  fever,  the  Adjutant  got  very  stupidly  tipsy, 
and  Major  Dalrymple  succeeded  in  engaging  the  three 
juniors  of  the  party  to  tea,  having  previously  pledged  us 
to  purchase  nothing  whatever  of  outfit  without  his  advice, 
he  well  knowing  (which  he  did)  how  young  fellows  like 
us  were  cheated,  and  resolving  to  be  a  father  to  us  (which 
he  certainly  tried  to  be). 

As  we  rose  from  the  table  about  ten  o'clock,  I  felt  how 
soon  a  few  such  dinners  would  succeed  in  disenchanting 
me  of  all  my  military  illusions ;  for,  young  as  I  was,  I 
saw  that  the  Commissary  was  a  vulgar  bore,  the  Doctor  a 
humbug,  the  Adjutant  a  sot,  and  the  Major  himself  I 
greatly  suspected  to  be  an  old  rogue. 

"  You  are  coming  with  us,  Sparks  ? "  said  Major 
Dalrymple,  as  he  took  me  by  one  arm  and  the  Ensign 
by  the  other.  "  We  are  going  to  have  a  little  tea  with  the 
ladies  ;  not  five  minutes'  walk." 

"  Most  happy,  sir,"  said  Mr.  Sparks,  with  a  very  flat- 
tered expression  of  countenance. 

"  O'Malley,  you  know  Sparks,  and  Burton  too." 

This  served  for  a  species  of  triple  introduction,  at  which 
we  all  bowed,  simpered,  and  bowed  again.  We  were  very 
happy  to  have  the  pleasure,  &c. 

"  How  pleasant  to  get  away  from  these  fellows  !  "  said 
the  Major,  "  they  are  so  uncommonly  prosy :  that  Com- 
missary with  his  mess-beef,  and  old  Pritchard,  with  black 
doses  and  rigours  ;  nothing  so  insufferable.  Besides,  in 
reality,  a  young  officer  never  needs  all  that  nonsense : 
a  little  medicine  chest — I'll  get  you  one  each  to-morrow 


THE  ADJUTANT'S  DINNER.  185 

for  five  pounds ;  no,  five  pounds  ten ;  the  same  thing — 
that  will  see  you  all  through,  the  Peninsula.  Remind  me 
of  it  in  the  morning."  This  we  all  promised  to  do,  and 
the  Major  resumed  :  "  I  say,  Sparks,  you've  got  a  real 
prize  in  that  grey  horse,  such  a  trooper  as  he  is.  O'Malley, 
you'll  be  wanting  something  of  that  kind,  if  we  can  find 
it  out  for  you." 

"  Many  thanks,  Major,  but  my  cattle  are  on  the  way 
here  already.  I've  only  three  horses,  but  I  think  they  are 
tolerably  good  ones." 

The  Major  now  turned  to  Burton,  and  said  something 
in  a  low  tone,  to  which  the  other  replied, — 

"  Well,  if  you  say  so,  I'll  get  it,  but  it's  devilish  dear." 

"  Dear  !  my  young  friend  ;  cheap,  dog  cheap." 

"  Only  think,  O'Malley,  a  whole  brass  bed,  camp-stool, 
basin-stand,  all  complete  for  sixty  pounds  !  If  it  was  not 
that  a  widow  was  disposing  of  it  in  great  distress,  one 
hundred  could  not  buy  it.  Here  we  are  ;  come  along — 
no  ceremony.  Mind  the  two  steps ;  that's  it.  Mrs. 
Dalrymple,  Mr.  O'Malley  ;  Mr.  Sparks,  Mr.  Burton,  my 
daughters.  Is  tea  over,  girls  ?  " 

"  Why,  papa,  it's  near  eleven  o'clock,"  said  Fanny,  aa 
she  rose  to  ring  the  bell,  displaying,  in  so  doing,  the  least 
possible  portion  of  a  very  well-turned  ankle. 

Miss  Matilda  Dal  laid  down  her  book,  but,  seemingly 
lost  in  abstraction,  did  not  deign  to  look  at  us.  Mrs. 
Dalrymple,  however,  did  the  honours  with  much  polite- 
ness, and  having,  by  a  few  adroit  and  well-put  queries, 
ascertained  everything  concerning  our  rank  and  position, 
seemed  perfectly  satisfied  that  our  intrusion  was  justifi- 
able. 

While  my  confrere,  Mr.  Sparks,  was  undergoing  his 
examination,  I  had  time  to  look  at  the  ladies,  whom  I  was 
much  surprised  at  finding  so  very  well-looking ;  and  as 
the  Ensign  had  opened  a  conversation  with  Fanny,  I  ap- 
proached my  chair  towards  the  other,  and  having  care- 
lessly turned  over  the  leaves  of  the  book  she  had  been 
reading,  drew  her  on  to  talk  of  it.  As  my  acquaintance 
with  young  ladies  hitherto  had  been  limited  to  those  who 
had  "  no  soul,"  I  felt  some  difficulty  at  first  in  keeping  up 
with  the  exalted  tone  of  my  fair  companion,  but  by  letting 
her  take  the  lead  for  some  time,  I  got  to  know  more  of  the 


186  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

ground.  We  went  on  tolerably  together,  every  moment 
increasing  my  stock  of  technicals,  which  were  all  that  was 
needed  to  sustain  the  conversation.  How  often  have  I 
found  the  same  plan  succeed — whether  discussing  a 
question  of  law  or  medicine — with  a  learned  professor  of 
either ;  or,  what  is  still  more  difficult,  canvassing  the 
merits  of  a  preacher,  or  a  doctrine,  with  a  serious  young 
lady,  whose  "blessed  privileges"  were  at  first  a  little 
puzzling  to  comprehend. 

I  so  contrived  it,  too,  that  Miss  Matilda  should  seem 
as  much  to  be  making  a  convert  to  her  views  as  to  have 
found  a  person  capable  of  sympathizing  with  her;  and 
thus  long  before  the  little  supper  with  which  it  was  the 
Major's  practice  to  regale  his  friends  every  evening,  made 
its  appearance,  we  had  established  a  perfect  understanding 
together — a  circumstance  that,  a  bystander  might  have 
remarked,  was  productive  of  a  more  widely  diffused  satis- 
faction than  I  could  have  myself  seen  any  just  cause  for. 
Mr.  Burton  was  also  progressing,  as  the  Yankees  say,  with 
the  sister.  Sparks  had  booked  himself  as  purchaser  of 
military  stores  enough  to  make  the  campaign  of  the  whole 
globe,  and  we  were  thus  all  evidently  fulfilling  our  various 
vocations,  and  affording  perfect  satisfaction  to  our  enter- 
tainers. 

Then  came  the  spatch-cock,  and  the  sandwiches,  and 
the  negus,  which  Fanny  first  mixed  for  papa,  and,  subse- 
quently, with  some  little  pressing,  for  Mr.  Burton  ;  Matilda 
the  romantic  assisted  me.  Sparks  helped  himself;  then  we 
laughed,  and  told  stories ;  pressed  Sparks  to  sing,  which, 
as  he  declined,  we  only  pressed  the  more.  How,  invari- 
ably, by  the  bye,  is  it  the  custom  to  show  one's  appreci- 
ation of  anything  like  a  butt,  by  pressing  him  for  a  song. 

The  Major  was  in  great  spirits,  told  us  anecdotes  of  his 
early  life  in  India,  and  how  he  once  contracted  to  supply 
the  troops  with  milk,  and  made  a  purchase,  in  consequence, 
of  some  score  of  cattle,  which  turned  out  to  be  bullocks. 
Matilda  recited  some  lines  from  Pope  in  my  ear.  Fanny 
chnllenged  Burton  to  a  rowing  match.  Sparks  listened  to 
all  around  him,  and  Mrs.  Dalrymple  mixed  a  very  little 
weak  punch,  which  Dr.  Lucas  had  recommended  to 

her,  to  take  the  last  thing  at  night — Noctes  ccenceque 

Say  what  you  will,  these  were  very  jovial  little  reunions. 


THE  ADJUTANT'S  DINNER.  187 

Ihe  girls  were  decidedly  very  pretty.  We  were  in  high 
favour,  and  when  we  took  leave  at  the  door,  with  a  very 
cordial  shake  hands,  it  was  with  no  arriere  pensee  we  pro- 
mised to  see  them  in  the  morning. 


CHAPTER   XXV. 

XHB   ENTANGLEMENT. 

WHEN  we  think  for  a  moment  over  all  the  toils,  all  the 
anxieties,  all  the  fevered  excitement  of  a  grande  passion,  it 
is  not  a  little  singular  that  love  should  so  frequently  be 
elicited  by  a  state  of  mere  idleness;  and  yet  nothing, 
after  all,  is  so  predisposing  a  cause  as  this.  Where  is  the 
man  between  eighteen  and  eight- and-thirty — might  I  not 
say  forty? — who,  without  any  very  pressing  duns,  and 
having  no  taste  for  strong  liquor  and  rouge  et  noir,  can 
possibly  lounge  through  the  long  hours  of  his  day,  without 
at  least,  fancying  himself  in  love  ?  The  thousand  little 
occupations  it  suggests  become  a  necessity  of  existence; 
its  very  worries  are  like  the  wholesome  opposition  that 
purifies  and  strengthens  the  frame  of  a  free  state.  Then, 
what  is  there  half  so  sweet  as  the  reflective  flattery  which 
results  from  our  appreciation  of  an  object  who,  in  return, 
deems  us  the  ne  plus  ultra  of  perfection  ?  There  it  is, 
in  fact — that  confounded  bump  of  self-esteem  does  it  all, 
and  has  more  imprudent  matches  to  answer  for  than  all 
the  occipital  protuberances  that  ever  scared  poor  Harriet 
Martineau. 

Now,  to  apply  my  moralizing.  I  very  soon,  to  use  the 
mess  phrase,  got  "devilish  spooney  "  about  the  "Dais." 
The  morning  drill,  the  riding-school,  and  the  parade,  were 
all  most  fervently  consigned  to  a  certain  military  character 
that  shall  be  nameless,  as  detaining  me  from  some 


188  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

appointment  made  the  evening  before  ;  for,  as  I  supped 
there  each  night,  a  party  of  one  kind  or  another  was 
always  planned  for  the  day  following.  Sometimes  we  had 
a  boating  excursion  to  Cove ;  sometimes  a  picnic  at 
Foaty ;  now,  a  rowing  party  to  Glanmire,  or  a  ride,  at 
which  I  furnished  the  cavalry.  These  doings  were  all 
under  my  especial  direction,  and  I  thus  became  speedily 
the  organ  of  the  Dalrymple  family  ;  and  the  simple  phrase, 
"  It  was  Mr.  O'Malley's  arrangement,"  "  Mr.  O'Malley 
wished  it,"  was  like  the  "  Moi  le  roi  "  of  Louis  XIV. 

Though  all  this  while  we  continued  to  carry  on  most 
pleasantly,  Mrs.  Dalrymple,  I  could  perceive,  did  not  en- 
tirely sympathize  with  our  projects  of  amusement.  As 
an  experienced  engineer  might  feel,  when  watching  the 
course  of  some  storming  projectile — some  brilliant  con- 
greve — flying  over  a  besieged  fortress,  yet  never  touching 
the  walls,  nor  harming  the  inhabitants,  so  she  looked  on 
at  all  these  demonstrations  of  attack  with  no  small  im- 
patience, and  wondered  when  the  breach  would  be  reported 
practicable.  Another  puzzle  also  contributed  its  share  of 
anxiety — which  of  the  girls  was  it  ?  To  be  sure,  he  spent 
three  hours  every  morning  with  Fanny ;  but,  then,  he 
never  left  Matilda  the  whole  evening.  He  had  given  his 
minature  to  one ;  a  locket  with  his  hair  was  a  present  to 
the  sister.  The  Major  thinks  he  saw  his  arm  round 
Matilda's  waist  in  the  garden ;  the  housemaid  swears  she 
t-aw  him  kiss  Fanny  in  the  pantry.  Matilda  smiles  when 
we  talk  of  his  name  with  her  sister's ;  Fanny  laughs  out- 
right, and  says,  "  Poor  Matilda,  the  man  never  dreamed  of 
her."  This  is  becoming  uncomfortable  ;  the  Major  must 
ask  his  intentions — it  is  certainly  one  or  the  other ;  but 
then  we  have  a  right  to  know  which.  Such  was  a  very 
condensed  view  of  Mrs.  Dalrymple's  reflections  on  this 
important  topic — a  view  taken  with  her  usual  tact  and 
clear-sightedness. 

Matters  were  in  this  state,  when  Power  at  length  arrived 
in  Cork,  to  take  command  of  our  detachment,  and  make 
the  final  preparations  for  our  departure.  1  had  been,  as 
usual,  spending  the  evening  at  the  Major's,  and  had  just 
reached  mj  quarters,  when  I  found  my  friend  sitting  at 
my  fire,  smoking  his  cigar  and  solacing  himself  with  a 
little  brandy-and-  water. 


THE   ENTANGLEMENT.  189 

"  At  last,"  said  he,  as  I  entered — "  at  last !  "  Why,  where 
the  deuce  have  you  been  till  this  hour — past  two  o'clock  ? 
There  is  no  ball,  no  assembly  going  on,  eh  ?  " 

"  No,"  said  I,  half  blushing  at  the  eagerness  of  the  in- 
quiry ;  "  I've  been  spending  the  evening  with  a  friend." 

"  Spending  the  evening  !  say,  rather,  the  night.  Why, 
confound  you,  man,  what  is  there  in  Cork  to  keep  you  out 
of  bed  till  near  three  ?  " 

"  Well,  if  you  must  know,  I've  been  supping  at  a  Major 
Dalrymple's  —  a  devilish  good  fellow  —  with  two  such 
daughters !" 

"  ALem  !  "  said  Power,  shutting  one  eye  knowingly,  and 
giving  a  look  like  a  Yorkshire  horse-dealer.  "  Go  on." 

"  Why,  what  do  you  mean  ?  " 

"  Go  on — continue." 

"  I've  finished — I've  nothing  more  to  tell." 

"  So,  they're  here,  are  they  !  "  said  he,  reflectingly. 

"  Who  ?  "  said  I. 

"  Matilda  and  Fanny,  to  be  sure  ?  " 

"  Why,  you  know  them,  then  ?  " 

« I  should  think  I  do." 

"  Where  have  you  met  them  ?  n 

"  Where  have  I  not  ?  When  I  was  in  the  Rifles,  they 
were  quartered  at  Zante.  Matilda  was  just  then  coming 
it  rather  strong  with  Villiers,  of  ours,  a  regular  greenhorn. 
Fanny,  also,  nearly  did  for  Harry  Nesbitt,  by  riding  a 
hurdle-race.  Then  they  left  for  Gibraltar,  in  the  year — 
what  year  was  it  ?  " 

"  Come,  come,"  said  I,  "this is  a  humbug:  the  girls  are 
quite  young ;  you  just  have  heard  their  names." 

"  Well,  perhaps  so ;  only  tell  me  which  is  your  peculiar 
weakness,  as  they  say  in  the  west,  and  maybe  I'll  convince 
you." 

"  Oh !  as  to  that,"  said  I,  laughing,  "  I'm  not  very  far 
gone  on  either  side." 

K  Then  Matilda,  probably,  has  not  tried  you  with  Cowley, 
eh  ? — you  look  a  little  pink — '  There  are  hearts  that  live 
and  love  alone.'  Oh !  poor  fellow,  you've  got  it.  By 
Jove  !  how  you've  been  coming  it,  though,  in  ten  days  I 
She  ought  not  to  have  got  to  that  for  a  month,  at  least ; 
and  how  like  a  young  one  it  was,  to  be  caught  by  the 
poetry.  Oh !  Master  Charley,  I  thought  that  the  steeple- 


190  CHARLES  O'MALLET. 

chaser  might  Lave  done  most  with  yonr  Galway  heart — 
the  girl  in  the  grey  habit,  that  sings  '  Moddirederoo,'  ought 
to  have  been  the  prize.  Halt !  by  St.  George,  but  that 
tickles  you  also !  Why,  zounds,  if  I  go  on,  probably,  at 
this  rate,  I'll  find  a  tender  spot  occupied  by  the  '  black 
lady  herself.'" 

It  was  no  use  concealing,  or  attempting-  to  conceal, 
anything  from  my  inquisitive  friend  ;  so  I  mixed  my  grog, 
and  opened  my  whole  heart ;  told  how  I  had  been  con- 
due!  ing  myself  for  the  entire  preceding  fortnight;  and, 
when  I  concluded,  sat  silently  awaiting  Power's  verdict, 
as  though  a  jury  were  about  to  pronounce  upon  my  life. 

"  Have  you  ever  written  ?  " 

"  Never ;  except,  perhaps,  a  few  lines,  with  tickets  for 
the  theatre,  or  something  of  that  kind." 

"  Have  you  copies  of  your  correspondence  ?  " 

"  Of  course  not.     Why,  what  do  you  mean  ?  " 

"  Has  Mrs.  Dal  been  ever  present,  or,  as  the  French  say, 
has  she  assisted,  at  any  of  your  tender  interviews  with  the 
young  ladies  ?  " 

"  I'm  not  aware  that  one  kisses  a  girl  before  mamma." 

"  I'm  not  speaking  of  that ;  I  merely  allude  to  flirta- 
tion." 

"  Oh !  I  suppose  she  has  seen  me  attentive." 

"  Very  awkward,  indeed !  There  is  only  one  point  in 
your  favour;  for,  as  your  attentions  were  not  decided,  and 
as  the  law  does  not,  as  yet,  permit  polygamy " 

"  Come,  come,  you  know  I  never  thought  of  marrying." 

«  Ah !  but  they  did." 

"  Not  a  bit  of  it." 

"  Ay,  but  they  did.  What  do  you  wager  but  that  the 
Major  asks  your  intentions,  as  he  calls  it,  the  moment  he 
hears  the  transport  has  arrived  ?  " 

"  By  Jove  !  now  you  remind  me,  he  asked  this  evening 
when  he  could  have  a  few  minutes'  private  conversation 
with  me  to-morrow,  and  I  thought  it  was  about  some  con- 
founded military  chest  or  sea  store,  or  one  of  his  infernal 
contrivances  that  he  every  day  assures  me  are  indispensable ; 
though,  if  every  officer  had  only  as  much  baggage  as  I 
have  got,  under  his  directions,  it  would  take  two  armies, 
at  least,  to  carry  the  effects  of  the  fighting  one." 

M  Poor  fellow  1  "  said  he.  starting1  upon  his  legs  ;  "  what 


THB    ENTANGLEMENT.  191 

a  burst  you've  made  of  it !  "     So  saying,  he  began,  in  a 
nasal  twang, — 

"  I   publish   the  banns   of  marriage   between   Charles 

O'Malley,  late  of  his  Majesty's  14th  Dragoons,  and 

Dalrymple,  spinster,  of  this  city " 

"  I'll  be  hanged  if  you  do,  though,"  said  I,  seeing  pretty 
clearly,  by  this  time,  something  of  the  estimation  my 
friends  were  held  in.  "  Come,  Power,  pull  me  through,  like 
a  uear  fellow — pull  me  through,  without  doing  anything 
to  hurt  the  girls'  feelings." 

"  Well,  we'll  see  about  it,"  said  he — "  we'll  see  about  it 
in  the  morning,  but,  at  the  same  time,  let  me  assure  you, 
the  affair  is  not  so  easy  as  you  may,  at  first  blush,  suppose. 
These  worthy  people  have  been  so  often  '  done ' — to  use 
the  cant  phrase — before,  that  scarcely  a  ruse  remains 
untried.  It  is  of  no  use  pleading  that  your  family  won't 
consent — that  your  prospects  are  null — that  you  are  ordered 
for  India — that  you  are  engaged  elsewhere — that  you  have 
nothing  but  your  pay — that  you  are  too  young  or  too  old 
—all  such  reasons,  good  and  valid  with  any  other  family, 
will  avail  you  little  here.  Neither  will  it  serve  your  cause 
that  you  maybe  warranted  by  a  doctor  subject  to  periodical 
fits  of  insanity ;  monomaniacal  tendencies  to  cut  somebody's 
throat,  &c.  Bless  your  heart,  man,  they  have  a  soul  above 
such  littlenesses.  They  care  nothing  for  consent  of 
friends,  means,  age,  health,  climate,  prospects,  or  temper. 
Firmly  believing  matrimony  to  be  a  lottery,  they  are  not 
superstitious  about  the  number  they  pitch  upon;  provided 
only  that  they  get  a  ticket,  they  are  content." 

"  Then  it  strikes  me,  if  what  you  say  is  correct,  that  I 
have  no  earthly  chance  of  escape,  except  some  kind  friend 
will  undertake  to  shoot  me." 

"  That  has  been  also  tried." 

"  Why,  how  do  you  mean  ?  " 

"A  mock  duel,  got  UP  at.  mess — we  had  one  at  Malta. 
Poor  Vickers  was  the  hero  of  that  affair.  It  was  right 
well  planned,  too.  One  of  the  letters  was  suffered,  by 
mere  accident,  to  fall  into  Mrs.  Dai's  hands,  and  she  was 
quite  prepared  for  the  event,  when  he  was  reported  shot, 
the  next  morning.  Then  the  young  lady,  of  course 
whether  she  cared  or  not,  was  obliged  to  be  perfectly 
unconcerned,  lest  the  story  of  engaged  affections  might 


CHARLES    O  MALLEY. 

get  wind,  and  spoil  another  market.  The  thing  went  on 
admirably,  till  one  day,  some  few  months  later,  they  saw, 
in  a  confounded  army-list,  that  the  late  George  Vickera 
was  promoted  to  the  18th  Dragoons,  so  that  the  trick  was 
discovered,  and  is,  of  course,  stale  at  present." 

"  Then  could  I  not  have  a  wife  already,  and  a  large 
family  of  interesting  babes  ?  " 

"  No  go — only  swell  the  damages,  when  they  come  to 
prosecute.  Besides,  your  age  and  looks  forbid  the  assump- 
tion of  such  a  fact.  No,  no ;  we  must  go  deeper  to 
work." 

"  But  where  shall  we  go  ?  "  said  I,  impatiently  ;  "  for  it 
appears  to  me  these  good  people  have  been  treated  to 
every  trick  and  subterfuge  that  ever  ingenuity  sug- 
gested." 

"  Come,  I  think  I  have  it ;  but  it  will  need  a  little  more 
reflection.  So,  now,  let  us  to  bed.  I'll  give  you  the 
result  of  my  lucubrations  at  breakfast ;  and,  if  I  mistake 
not,  we  may  get  you  through  this  without  any  ill  conse- 
quences. Good  night,  then,  old  boy;  and  now  dream  away 
of  your  lady-love  till  our  next  meeting." 


CHAPTER  XXVL 

THK   PREPARATION. 

To  prevent  needless  repetitions  in  my  story,  I  shall  not 
record  here  the  conversation  which  passed  between  my 
friend  Power  and  myself  on  the  morning  following  at 
breakfast.  Suffice  it  to  say,  that  the  plan  proposed  by 
him  for  my  rescue  was  one  I  agreed  to  adopt,  reserving  to 
myself,  in  case  of  failure,  apis  aller  of  which  I  knew  not 
the  meaning,  but  of  whose  efficacy  Power  assured  me  I 
need  not  doubt. 

"Jf  all  fail,"  said  he — "if  every  bridge  break  down 
beneath  you,  and  no  road  of  escape  be  left,  why,  then,  I 
believe  you  must  have  recourse  to  another  alternative. 
Still  I  should  wish  to  avoid  it,  if  possible,  and  I  put  it  to 

?>u,  in  honour,  not  to  employ  it  unless  as  a  last  expedient, 
ou  promise  me  this  ?  " 

"  Of  course,"  said  I,  with  great  anxiety  for  tho  dread 
final  measure.  "  What  is  it  ?  " 

He  paused,  smiled  dubiously,  and  resumed : — 

"  And,  after  all — but,  to  be  sure,  there  will  not  bo  need 
for  it — the  other  plan  will  do — must  do.  Come,  come, 
O'Malley,  the  Admiralty  say  that  nothing  encourages 
drowning  in  the  navy  like  a  life-buoy.  The  men  have  such 
a  prospect  of  being  picked  up,  that  they  don't  mind  falling 
overboard ;  so,  if  I  give  you  this  life-preserver  of  mine, 
you'll  not  swim  an  inch.  Is  it  not  so,  eh  ?  " 

"  Far  from  it,"  said  I.  "  I  shall  feel  in  honour  bound  to 
exert  myself  the  more,  because  I  now  see  how  much  it 
costs  you  to  part  with  it." 

"  Well,  then,  hear  it.  When  everything  fails — when  all 
your  resources  are  exhausted — when  you  have  totally  lost 
your  memory,  in  fact,  and  your  ingenuity  in  excuses,  say 
— but  mind,  Charley,  not  till  then — say  that  you  must 
consult  your  friend,  Captain  Power,  of  the  14th.  that's 
all" 


194  CHARLES  O'MALLBY. 

"And  is  tliis  it?  "  said  I,  quite  disappointed  at  the 
and  impotent  conclusion  to  all  the  high-sounding  exordiui 
"is  this  all?" 

"  Yes,"  said  he,  "  that  is  all.  But  stop,  Charley ;  is  not 
that  the  Major  crossing  the  street  there  P  Yes,  to  be  sure 
it  is,  and  by  Jove  !  he  has  got  on  the  old  braided  frock 
this  morning.  Had  you  not  told  me  one  word  of  your 
critical  position,  I  should  have  guessed  there  was  some- 
thing in  the  wind  from  that.  That  same  vestment  has 
caused  many  a  stout  heart  to  tremble  that  never  quailed 
before  a  shot  or  shell." 

"  How  can  that  be  ?     I  should  like  to  hear." 

"  Why,  my  dear  boy,  that's  his  explanation  coat,  as  we 
called  it  at  Gibraltar.  He  was  never  known  to  wear  it 
except  when  asking  some  poor  fellow's  '  intentions.'  He 
would  no  more  think  of  sporting  it  as  an  every-day  affair, 
than  the  Chief  Justice  would  go  cock-shooting  in  his  black 
cap  and  ermine.  Come,  he  is  bound  for  your  quarters, 
and,  as  it  will  not  answer  our  plans  to  let  him  see  you 
now,  you  had  better  hasten  downstairs,  and  get  round  by 
the  back  way  into  George's  Street,  and  you'll  be  at  his 
house  before  lie  can  return." 

Following  Power's  directions,  I  seized  my  foraging-cap, 
and  got  clear  out  of  the  premises  before  the  Major  readied 
them.  It  was  exactly  noon  as  I  sounded  my  laud  and 
now  well-known  summons  at  the  Major's  knocker.  The 
door  was  quickly  opened  ;  but,  instead  of  dashing  up- 
stairs, four  steps  at  a  time,  as  was  my  wont,  to  the  draw- 
ing-room, I  turned  short  into  the  dingy-looking  little 
parlour  on  the  right,  and  desired  Matthew,  the  venerable 
servitor  of  the  house,  to  say  that  I  wished  particularly  to 
see  Mrs.  Dalrymple  for  a  few  minutes,  if  the  hour  were 
not  inconvenient. 

There  was  something  perhaps  of  excitement  in  my 
manner — some  flurry  in  my  look,  or  some  trepidation  in 
my  voice — or  perhaps  it  was  the  unusual  hour — or  the  still 
more  remarkable  circumstance  of  my  not  going  at  once  to 
the  drawing-room,  that  raised  some  doubts  in  Matthew's 
mind  as  to  the  object  of  my  visit ;  and,  instead  of  at  once 
complying  with  my  request  to  inform  Mrs.  Dalrymple  that 
I  was  there,  he  cautiously  closed  the  door,  and,  taking  a 
quick  but  satisfactory  glance  round  the  apartment  to  assure 


THE    PREPARATION.  195 

himself  that  we  were  alone,  he  placed  his  back  against  it, 
and  heaved  a  deep  sigh. 

We  were  both  perfectly  silent ;  I  in  total  amazement  at 
what  the  old  man  could  possibly  mean ;  he,  following  up 
the  train  of  his  own  thoughts,  comprehended  little  or  no- 
thing of  my  surprise,  and  evidently  was  so  engrossed  by 
his  reflections  that  he  had  neither  ears  nor  eyes  for  aught 
around  him.  There  was  a  most  singular  semi-comic  ex- 
pression in  the  old  withered  face  that  nearly  made  me 
laugh  at  first ;  but,  as  I  continued  to  look  steadily  at  it,  I 
perceived  that,  despite  the  long-worn  wrinkles  that  low 
Irish  drollery  and  fun  had  furrowed  around  the  angles  of 
his  mouth,  the  real  character  of  his  look  was  one  of  sor- 
rowful compassion. 

Doubtless,  my  readers  have  read  many  interesting  narra- 
tives, wherein  the  unconscious  traveller  in  some  remote 
land  has  been  warned  of  a  plan  to  murder  him,  by  some 
mere  passing  wink,  a  look,  a  sign,  which  some  one,  less 
steeped  in  crime,  less  hardened  in  iniquity  than  his  fellows, 
has  ventured  for  his  rescue.  Sometimes,  according  to  the 
taste  of  the  narrator,  the  interesting  individual  is  an  old 
woman,  sometimes  a  young  one,  sometimes  a  black- bearded 
bandit,  sometimes  a  child,  and,  not  unfrequently,  a  dog  is 
humane  enough  to  do  this  service.  One  thing,  however, 
never  varies  ;  be  the  agent  biped  or  quadruped,  dumb  or 
speechful,  young  or  old,  the  stranger  invariably  takes  the 
hint,  and  gets  off  scot  free  for  his  sharpness.  This  never- 
varying  trick  on  the  doomed  man,  I  had  often  been  scep- 
tical enough  to  suspect ;  however,  I  had  not  been  many 
minutes  a  spectator  of  the  old  man's  countenance,  when  I 
most  thoroughly  recanted  my  errors,  and  acknowleged 
myself  wrong.  If  ever  the '  look  of  a  man  conveyed  a 
warning,  his  did ;  but  there  was  more  in  it  than  even 
that ;  there  was  a  tone  of  sad  and  pitiful  compassion, 
such  as  an  old  grey-bearded  rat  might  be  supposed  to 
put  on  at  seeing  a  young  and  inexperienced  one  opening 
the  hinge  of  an  iron  trap,  to  try  its  efficacy  upon  his 
neck.  Many  a  little  occasion  had  presented  itself,  during 
my  intimacy  with  the  family,  of  doing  Matthew  some 
bmall  services,  of  making  him  some  trifling  presents  ;  so 
iliat,  when  he  assumed  before  me  the  gesture  and  look  I  have 
mentioned,  I  was  not  long  in  deciphering  his  intentions. 


196  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

"  Matthew!"  screamed  a  sharp  voice,  which  I  recognized 
at  once  for  that  of  Mrs.  Dalrymple.  **  Matthew  I  where  is 
the  old  fool  ?  " 

But  Matthew  heard  not,  or  heeded  not. 

*  Matthew!  Matthew!  I  say." 

"  I'm  comin',  ma'am,"  said  he,  with  a  sigh,  as,  opening 
the  parlour  door,  he  turned  upon  me  one  look  of  such 
import,  that  only  the  circumstances  of  my  story  can  ex- 
plain its  force,  or  my  reader's  own  ingenious  imagination 
can  supply. 

"  Never  fear,  my  good  old  friend,"  said  I,  grasping  his 
hand  warmly,  and  leaving  a  guinea  in  the  palm — "  never 
fear." 

"  God  grant  it,  sir !  "  said  he,  settling  on  his  wig  in 
preparation  for  his  appearance  in  the  drawing-room. 

"  Matthew  ;  the  old  wretch !  " 

"Mr.  O'Malley,"  said  the  often-called  Matthew,  as, 
opening  the  door,  he  announced  me  unexpectedly  among 
the  ladies  there  assembled,  who,  not  hearing  of  my 
approach,  were  evidently  not  a  little  surprised  and  as- 
tonished. 

Had  I  really  been  the  enamoured  swain  that  the  Dal- 
rymple family  were  willing  to  believe,  I  half  suspect  that 
the  prospect  before  me  might  have  cured  me  of  my  passion. 
A  round  bullet  head,  papillate  with  the  Cork  Observer, 
where  still-born  babes  and  maids  of  all  work  were  des- 
canted upon  in  very  legible  type,  was  now  the  substitute 
for  the  classic  front  and  Italian  ringlets  of  la  belle  Matilda, 
while  the  chaste  Fanny  herself,  whose  feet  had  been  a 
fortune  for  a  statuary,  was,  in  the  most  slatternly  and  slip- 
shod attire,  pacing  the  room  in  a  towering  rage,  at  some 
thing,  place,  or  person,  unknown  (to  me).  It  the  ballet- 
master  at  the  Academic  could  only  learn  to  get  his  imps, 
demons,  angels  and  goblins  "  off"  half  as  rapidly  as  the 
two  young  ladies  retreated  on  my  being  announced,  I 
answer  for  the  piece  so  brought  out  having  a  run  for  half 
the  season.  Before  my  eyes  had  regained  their  position 
parallel  to  the  plane  of  the  horizon,  they  were  gone,  and  I 
found  myself  alone  with  Mrs.  Dalrymple.  Now,  she  stood 
her  ground,  partly  to  cover  the  retreat  of  the  main  body, 
partly,  too,  because — representing  the  baggage- waggons, 
ammunition  stores,  hospital  stall',  &c. — her  retirement  from 


THE   PKEPARATION.  197 

the  field  demanded  more  time  and  circumspection,  than  the 
light  brigade. 

Let  not  my  readers  suppose  that  the  mere  Dalrymple  was 
so  perfectly  faultless  in  costume  that  her  remaining  was  a 
matter  of  actual  indifference ;  far  from  it.  She  evidently 
had  a  struggle  for  it ;  but  a  sense  of  duty  decided  her,  and 
as  Ney  doggedly  held  back  to  cover  the  retreating  forces 
on  the  march  from  Moscow,  so  did  she  resolutely  lurk 
behind  till  the  last  flutter  of  the  last  petticoat  assured  her 
that  the  fugitives  were  safe.  Then  did  she  hesitate  for 
a  moment  what  course  to  take ;  but,  as  I  assumed  my 
chair  beside  her,  she  composedly  sat  down,  and,  crossing 
her  hands  before  her,  waited  for  an  explanation  of  this  ill- 
timed  visit. 

Had  the  Horse  Guards,  in  the  plenitude  of  their  power 
and  the  perfection  of  their  taste,  ordained  that  the  79th 
and  42nd  regiments  should  in  future,  in  lieu  of  their  re- 
spective tartans,  wear  flannel  kilts  and  black  worsted  hose, 
I  could  readily  have  fallen  into  the  error  of  mistaking 
Mrs.  Dalrymple  for  a  field-officer  in  the  new  regulation 
dress ;  the  philabeg  finding  no  mean  representation  in  a 
capacious  pincushion  that  hung  down  from  her  girdle, 
while  a  pair  of  shears,  not  scissors,  corresponded  to  the 
dirk.  After  several  ineffectual  efforts  upon  her  part  to 
make  her  vestment  (I  know  not  its  fitting  designation) 
cover  more  of  her  legs  than  its  length  could  possibly 
effect,  and,  after  some  most  bland  smiles  and  half  blushes 
at  dishabille,  &c.,  were  over,  and  that  I  had  apologized 
most  humbly  for  the  unusually  early  hour  of  my  call,  I 
proceeded  to  open  my  negotiations,  and  unfurl  my  banner 
for  the  fray. 

"  The  old  Racehorse  has  arrived  at  last,"  said  I,  with 
a  half  sigh,  "  and  I  believe  that  we  shall  not  obtain  a  very 
long  time  for  our  leave-taking  ;  so  that,  trespassing  upon 
your  very  great  kindness,  I  have  ventured  upon  an  early 
call." 

"  The  Racehorse,  surely,  can't  sail  to-morrow,"  said  Mrs. 
Dalrymple,  whose  experience  of  such  matters  made  her  a 
very  competent  judge ;  "  her  stores " 

"  Are  taken  in  already,"  said  I ;  "  and  an  order  from  the 
Horse  Guards  commands  us  to  embark  in  twenty- four  hours ; 
so  that,  in  fact,  we  scarcely  have  time  to  look  about  us." 


198  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

"  Have  you  seen  the  Major  ?  "  inquired  Mrs.  Dalrymple, 
eagerly. 

"  Not  to-day,"  I  replied,  carelessly  ;  "  but,  of  course, 
during  the  morning  we  are  sure  to  meet.  I  have  many 
thanks  yet  to  give  him  for  all  his  most  kind  attentions." 

"I  know  he  is  most  anxious  to  see  you,"  said  Mrs. 
Dalrymple,  with  a  very  peculiar  emphasis,  and  evidently 
desiring  that  I  should  inquire  the  reasons  of  this  anxiety. 
I,  however,  most  heroically  forbore  indulging  my  curiosity, 
and  added  that  I  should  endeavour  to  find  him  on  my  way 
to  the  barracks ;  and  then,  hastily  looking  at  my  watch,  I 
pronounced  it  a  full  hour  later  than  it  really  was,  and, 
promising  to  spend  the  evening — my  last  evening — with 
them,  I  took  my  leave,  and  hurried  away,  in  no  small 
flurry,  to  be  once  more  out  of  reach  of  Mrs.  Dalrymple's 
fire,  which  I  every  moment  expected  to  open  upon  me. 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

THE    SUPPER. 


POWER  and  I  dined  together  tete-a-tete  at  the  hotel,  ana 
sat  chatting  over  my  adventures  with  the  Dalrymples  till 
nearly  nine  o'clock. 

"  Come,  Charley,"  said  he  at  length,  "  I  see  your  eye 
wandering  very  often  towards  the  timepiece ;  another 
bumper,  and  I'll  let  you  off.  What  shall  it  be?" 

"  What  you  like,"  said  I,  upon  whom  a  share  of  three 
bottles  jf  strong  claret  had  already  made  a  very  satisfac- 
tory impression. 

"  Then  champagne  for  the  coup  de  grace.  Nothing  like 
your  vin  mousseux  for  a  critical  moment — every  bubble 
that  rises  sparkling  to  the  surface,  prompts  some  bright 
thought,  or  elicits  some  brilliant  idea,  that  would  only 


THE   SUPPER.  199 

have  been  drowned  in  your  more  sober  fluids.  Here's  to 
the  girl  you  love,  whoever  she  be." 

"  To  her  bright  eyes,  then,  be  it,"  said  I,  clearing  off  a 
brimming  goblet  of  nearly  half  the  bottle,  while  my  friend 
Power  seemed  multiplied  into  any  given  number  of  gen- 
tlemen standing  amid  something  like  a  glass  manufactory 
of  decanters. 

"  I  hope  you  feel  steady  enough  for  this  business,"  said 
my  friend,  examining  me  closely  with  the  candle. 

"  I'm  an  archdeacon,"  muttered  I,  with  one  eye  involun- 
tarily closing. 

"  You'll  not  let  them  double  on  you  !  " 

"  Trust  me,  old  boy,"  said  I,  endeavouring  to  look 
knowing. 

"  I  think  youll  do,"  said  he ;  "  so  now  march;  I'll  wait 
for  you  here,  and  we'll  go  on  board  together;  for  old 
Bloater,  the  Skipper,  says  he'll  certainly  weigh  by  day- 
break." 

"  Till  then,"  said  I,  as,  opening  the  door,  I  proceeded 
very  cautiously  to  descend  the  stairs,  affecting  all  the  time 
considerable  nonchalance,  and  endeavouring,  as  well  as  my 
thickened  utterance  would  permit,  to  hum, — 

"  Oh  love  is  the  soul  of  an  Irish  Dragoon." 

If  I  was  not  in  the  most  perfect  possession  of  my  facul- 
ties in  the  house,  the  change  to  the  open  air,  certainly, 
but  little  contributed  to  their  restoration,  and  I  scarcely 
felt  myself  in  the  street  when  my  brain  became  absolutely 
one  whirl  of  maddened  and  confused  excitement.  Time 
and  space  are  nothing  to  a  man  thus  enlightened,  and 
so  they  appeared  to  me ;  scarcely  a  second  had  elapsed 
when  I  found  myself  standing  in  the  Dalrymples'  drawing- 
room. 

If  a  few  hours  had  done  much  to  metamorphose  me, 
certes,  they  had  done  something  for  my  fair  friends  also— 
anything  more  unlike  what  they  appeared  in  the  morning 
can  scarcely  be  imagined.  Matilda  in  black,  with  her  hair 
in  heavy  madonna  bands  upon  her  fair  cheek,  now  paler 
even  than  usual,  never  seemed  so  handsome  ;  while  Fanny, 
in  a  light  blue  dress,  with  blue  flowers  in  her  hair,  and  a 
blue  sash,  looked  the  most  lovely  piece  of  coquetry  ever 


200  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

man  set  his  eyes  upon.  The  old  Major,  too,  was  smartened 
up,  and  put  into  an  old  regimental  coat  that  he  had  worn 
during  the  siege  of  Gibraltar ;  and  lastly,  Mrs.  Dalrymple 
herself  was  attired  in  a  very  imposing  costume,  that  made 
her,  to  my  not  over-accurate  judgment,  look  very  like  an 
elderly  bishop  in  a  flame-coloured  cassock.  Sparks  was 
the  only  stranger,  and  wore  upon  his  countenance,  as  I 
entered,  a  look  of  very  considerable  embarrassment,  that 
even  my  thick-sightedness  could  not  fail  of  detecting. 

Parlez-moi  de  Vamitie,  my  friends.  Talk  to  me  of  the 
warm  embrace  of  your  earliest  friend,  after  years  of 
absence ;  the  cordial  and  heartfelt  shake- hands  of  your  old 
school  companion,  when,  in  after-years,  a  chance  meeting 
has  brought  you  together,  and  you  have  had  time  and 
opportunity  for  becoming  distinguished  and  in  repute,  and 
are  rather  a  good  hit  to  be  known  to  than  otherwise  ;  of 
the  close  grip  you  give  your  second  when  he  comes  up  to 
say,  that  the  gentleman  with  the  loaded  detonator  opposite 
won't  fire — that  he  feels  he's  in  the  wrong.  Any  or  all  of 
these  together,  very  effective  and  powerful  though  they  be, 
are  light  in  the  balance,  when  compared  with  the  two- 
handed  compression  you  receive  from  the  gentleman  that 
expects  you  to  marry  one  of  his  daughters. 

"  My  dear  O'Malley,  how  goes  it  ?  Thought  you'd 
never  come,"  said  he,  still  holding  me  fast  and  looking  me 
full  in  the  face,  to  calculate  the  extent  to  which  my  pota- 
tions rendered  his  flattery  feasible. 

"  Hurried  to  death  with  preparations,  I  suppose,"  said 
Mrs.  Dalrymple,  smiling  blandly.  "  Fanny  dear,  some  tea 
for  him." 

"  Oh,  mamma,  he  does  not  like  all  that  sugar ;  surely 
not,"  said  she,  looking  up  with  a  most  sweet  expression ; 
as  though  to  say,  "  I  at  least  know  his  tastes." 

"I  believed  you  were  going  without  seeing  us,"  whispered 
Matilda,  with  a  very  glassy  look  about  the  corner  of  her 
eyes. 

Eloquence  was  not  just  then  my  forte,  so  that  I  contented 
myself  with  a  very  intelligible  look  at  Fanny,  and  a  tender 
squeeze  of  Matilda's  hand,  as  I  seated  myself  at  the  table 

Scarcely  had  I  placed  myself  at  the  tea-table  with 
Matilda  beside,  and  Fanny  opposite  me,  each  vying  with 
the  other  in  their  delicate  and  kind  attentions,  when  I 


THE    SUPPER.  201 

totally  forgot  all  my  poor  friend  Power's  injunctions  and 
directions  for  ray  management.  It  is  true,  I  remembered 
that  there  was  a  scrape  of  some  kind  or  other  to  be  got 
out  of,  and  one  requiring  some  dexterity  too,  but  what, 
or  with  whom,  I  could  not  for  the  life  of  me  determine. 
What  the  wine  had  begun  the  bright  eyes  completed  ;  and, 
amid  the  witchcraft  of  silky  tresses  and  sweet  looks,  1  lost 
all  my  reflection,  till  the  impression  of  an  impending 
difficulty  remained  fixed  in  my  mind,  and  1  tortured  'my 
poor,  weak,  and  erring  intellect  to  detect  it.  At  last,  and 
by  a  mere  chance,  my  eyes  fell  upon  Sparks,  and,  by  what 
mechanism  I  contrived  it  I  know  not,  but  I  immediately 
saddled  him  with  the  whole  of  my  annoyances,  knd 
attributed  to  him  and  to  his  fault  any  embarrassment  I 
laboured  under. 

The  physiological  reason  of  the  fact  I'm  very  ignorant 
of,  but  for  the  truth  and  frequency  I  can  well  vouch,  that 
there  are  certain  people,  certain  faces,  certain  voices, 
certain  whiskers,  legs,  waistcoats,  and  guard-chains,  that 
inevitably  produce  tlie  most  striking  effects  upon  the  brain 
of  a  gentleman  already  excited  by  wine,  and  not  exactly 
cognizant  of  his  own  peculiar  fallacies. 

These  effects  are  not  produced  merely  among  those  who 
are  quarrelsome  in  their  cups,  for  I  call  the  whole  1 1th  to 
witness  that  I  am  not  such  ;  but,  to  any  person  so  disguise  J, 
the  inoffensiveness  of  the  object  is  no  security  on  the  other 
hand,  for  I  once  knew  an  eight-day  clock  kicked  down  a 
barrack  stairs  by  an  old  Scotch  major,  because  he  thought 
it  was  laughing  at  him.  To  this  source  alone,  whatever  it 
be,  can  I  attribute  the  feeling  of  rising  indignation  with 
which  I  contemplated  the  luckless  Cornet,  who,  seated 
at  the  fire,  unnoticed  and  uncared  for,  seemed  a  very  un- 
worthy object  to  vent  anger  or  ill-temper  upon. 

"  Mr.  Sparks,  I  fear,"  said  I,  endeavouring  at  the  time 
to  call  up  a  look  of  very  sovereign  contempt  — "  Mr. 
Sparks,  I  fear,  regards  my  visit  here  in  the  light  of  an 
intrusion." 

Had  poor  Mr.  Sparks  been  told  to  proceed  incontinently 
up  the  chimney  before  him,  he  could  not  have  looked  more 
aghast.  Reply  was  quite  out  of  his  power;  so  sudden  and 
unexpectedly  was  this  charge  of  mine  made,  that  he  could 
only  sfaro  vacantly  from  one  to  the  other  .while  I,  warm- 


202  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

ing  with  my  subject,  and  perhaps — bat  111  not  swear  it — • 
stimulated  by  a  gentle  pressure  from  a  soft  hand  near  me, 
continued, — 

"  If  he  thinks,  for  one  moment,  that  my  attentions  in 
this  family  are  in  any  way  to  be  questioned  by  him,  I  can 
only  say " 

"  My  dear  O'Malley,  my  dear  boy  ! "  said  the  Major,  with 
the  look  of  a  father-in-law  in  his  eye. 

"  The  spirit  of  an  officer  and  a  gentleman  spoke  there," 
said  Mrs.  Dalrymple,  now  carried  beyond  all  prudence,  by 
the  hope  that  my  attack  might  arouse  my  dormant  friend 
into  a  counter-declaration  :  nothing,  however,  was  further 
from  poor  Sparks,  who  began  to  think  he  had  been  un- 
consciously drinking  tea  with  five  lunatics. 

"If  he  supposes,"  said  I,  rising  from  my  chair,  "that 
his  silence  will  pass  with  me  as  any  palliation " 

"  Oh  dear !  oh  dear !  there  will  be  a  duel.  Papa  dear, 
why  don't  you  speak  to  Mr.  O'Malley  ?  " 

"  There  now,  O'Malley,  sit  down.  Don't  you  see  he  is 
quite  in  error  ?  " 

"  Then  let  him  say  so,"  said  I,  fiercely. 

"Ah,  yep,  to  be  sure,"  said  Fanny;  "do  say  it;  say 
anything  be  likes,  Mr.  Sparks." 

"  I  must  say,"  said  Mrs.  Dalrymple,  "  however  sorry  I 
may  feel  in  my  own  house  to  condemn  any  one,  that  Mr. 
Sparks  is  very  much  in  the  wrong." 

Poor  Sparks  looked  like  a  man  in  a  dream. 

"  If  he  will  tell  Charles— Mr.  O'Malley,  I  mean,"  said 
Matilda,  blushing  scarlet,  "  that  he  meant  nothing  by 
what  he  said " 

"But  I  never  spoke — never  opened  my  lips!"  cried 
out  the  wretched  man,  at  length  sufficiently  recovered  to 
defend  himself. 

"  Oh,  Mr.  Sparks  !  " 

«  Oh,  Mr.  Sparks  ! " 

"  Oh,  Mr.  Sparks !  "  chorussed  the  three  ladies. 

While  the  old  Major  brought  up  the  rear  with  an  "  Oh, 
Sparks,  I  must  say " 

"  Then,  by  all  the  saints  in  the  calendar,  I  must  be  mad," 
Baid  he ;  "  but  if  I  have  said  anything  to  offend  you, 
O'Malley,  I  am  sincerely  sorry  for  it." 

"  That  will  do,  sir,"  said  I,  with  a  look  of  royal  con- 


THE    SUPPEB.  208 

lescension  at  the  amende  I  considered  as  somewhat  late  in 
coming,  and  resumed  my  seat. 

This  little  intermezzo,  it  might  be  supposed,  was  rather 
calculated  to  interrupt  the  harmony  of  our  evening :  not 
so,  however.  I  had  apparently  acquitted  myself  like  a 
hero,  and  was  evidently  in  a  white  heat,  in  which  I  could 
be  fashioned  into  any  shape.  Sparks  was  humbled  so  far, 
that  he  would  probably  feel  it  a  relief  to  make  any  pro- 
position ;  so  that,  by  our  opposite  courses,  we  had  both 
arrived  at  a  point  at  which  all  the  dexterity  and  address  of 
the  family  had  been  long  since  aiming  without  success. 
Conversation  then  resumed  its  flow,  and,  in  a  few  minutes, 
every  trace  of  our  late  fracas  had  disappeared. 

By  degrees,  I  felt  myself  more  and  more  disposed  to 
turn  my  attention  towards  Matilda,  and,  dropping  my 
voice  into  a  lower  tone,  opened  a  flirtation  of  a  most 
determined  kind.  Fanny  had,  meanwhile,  assumed  a  place 
beside  Sparks,  and,  by  the  muttered  tones  that  passed 
between  them,  I  could  plainly  perceive  they  were  similarly 
occupied.  The  Major  took  up  the  Southern  Reporter,  of 
which  he  appeared  deep  in  the  contemplation,  while  Mrs. 
Dal  buried  her  head  in  her  embroidery,  and  neither  heard 
nor  saw  anything  around  her. 

I  know,  unfortunately,  but  very  little  what  passed 
between  myself  and  my  fair  companion ;  I  can  only  say 
that,  when  supper  was  announced  at  twelve  (an  hour  later 
than  usual),  I  was  sitting  upon  the  sofa,  with  my  arm 
round  her  waist,  my  cheek  so  close,  that  already  her  lovely 
tresses  brushed  my  forehead,  and  her  breath  fanned  my 
burning  brow. 

"  Supper,  at  last,"  said  the  Major,  with  a  loud  voice,  to 
arouse  us  from  our  trance  of  happiness,  without  taking 
any  mean  opportunity  of  looking  unobserved.  "  Supper, 
Sparks :  O'Malley,  come  now — it  will  be  some  time  before 
we  all  meet  this  way  again." 

"  Perhaps  not  so  long,  after  all,"  said  I,  knowingly. 

"  Very  likely  not,"  echoed  Sparks,  in  the  same  key. 

"I've  proposed  for  Fanny,"  said  he,  whispering  in 
my  ear. 

"  Matilda's  mine,"  replied  I,  with  the  look  of  an 
emperor. 

"  A  word  with  you,  Major, "  said  Sparks,  his  eye  flash 

Vol.  30— (8) 


204  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

ing  with  enthusiasm,  and  his  cheek  scarlet — "  one  word  : 
I'll  not  detain  you." 

They  withdrew  into  a  corner  for  a  few  seconds,  during 
which  Mrs.  Dalrymple  amused  herself  by  wondering  what 
the  secret  could  be  ;  why  Mr.  Sparks  couldn't  tell  her ; 
and  Fanny,  meanwhile,  pretended  to  look  for  something 
at  a  side  table,  and  never  turned  her  head  round. 

"  Then  give  me  your  band,"  said  the  Major,  as  he  shook 
Sparks's  with  a  warmth  of  whose  sincerity  there  could 
be  no  question.  "Bess,  my  love,"  said  he,  addressing  his 
wife :  the  remainder  was  lost  in  a  whisper  ;  but,  whatever 
it  was,  it  evidently  redounded  to  Sparks's  credit,  for,  the 
next  moment,  a  repetition  of  the  hand-shaking  took  place, 
and  Sparks  looked  the  happiest  of  men. 

"A  mon  tour,"  thought  I,  "now,"  as  I  touched  the 
Major's  arm,  and  led  him  towards  the  window.  What 
I  said  may  be  one  day  matter  for  Major  Dalrymple's 
memoirs,  if  he  ever  writes  them  ;  but,  for  my  part,  I  have 
not  the  least  idea.  I  only  know  that,  while  I  was  yet 
speaking,  he  called  over  Mrs.  Dal,  who,  in  a  frenzy  of  joy, 
seized  me  in  her  arms  and  embraced  me.  After  which, 
I  kissed  her,  shook  hands  with  the  Major,  kissed  Matilda's 
hand,  and  laughed  prodigiously,  as  though  I  had  done 
something  confoundedly  droll — a  sentiment  evidently  par- 
ticipated in  by  Sparks,  who  laughed  too,  as  did  the  others, 
and  a  merrier,  happier  party  never  sat  down  to  supper. 

"Make  your  company  pleased  with  themselves,"  says 
Mr.  Walker  in  his  original  work  upon  dinner-giving, 
"  and  everything  goes  on  well."  Now,  Major  Dalrymple, 
without  having  read  the  authority  in  question,  probably 
because  it  was  not  written  at  the  time,  understood  the 
principle  fully  as  well  as  the  police  magistrate,  and  cer- 
tainly was  a  proficient  in  the  practice  of  it. 

To  be  sure,  he  possessed  one  grand  requisite  for  success — 
he  seemed  most  perfectly  happy  himself.  There  was  that 
air  degage  about  him  which,  when  an  old  man  puts  it  ou 
among  his  juniors,  is  so  very  attractive.  Then  the  ladies, 
too,  were  evidently  well  pleased  ;  and  the  usually  austere 
mamma  had  relaxed  her  "rigid  front"  into  a  smile,  in 
which  any  habitue  of  the  house  could  have  read  our  fate. 

We  ate,  we  drank,  we  ogled,  smiled,  squeezed  hands 
beneath  the  table,  and,  in  fact,  so  pleasant  a  party  had 


THE    SUPPEB.  205 

rarely  assembled  round  the  Major's  mahogany.  As  for  me, 
I  made  a  full  disclosure  of  the  most  burning  love,  backed 
by  a  resolve  to  marry  my  fair  neighbour,  and  settle  upon 
rer  a  considerably  larger  part  of  my  native  county  than  I 
had  ever  even  rode  over.  Sparks,  on  the  other  side,  had 
opened  his  fire  more  cautiously ;  but,  whether  taking 
courage  from  my  boldness,  or  perceiving  with  envy  the 
greater  estimation  I  was  held  in,  was  now  going  the  pace 
fully  as  fast  as  myself,  and  had  commenced  explanations 
of  his  intentions  with  regard  to  Fanny  that  evidently 
satisfied  her  friends.  Meanwhile,  the  wine  was  passing 
very  freely,  and  the  hints  half  uttered  an  hour  before 
began  now  to  be  more  openly  spoken  and  canvassed. 

Sparks  and  I  hob-nobbed  across  the  table,  and  looked 
unspeakable  things  at  each  other ;  the  girls  held  down 
their  heads ;  Mrs.  Dal  wiped  her  eyes;  and  the  Major 
pronounced  himself  the  happiest  father  in  Europe. 

It  was  now  wearing  late,  or  rather  early  ;  some  grey 
streaks  of  dubious  light  were  faintly  forcing  their  way 
through  the  half-closed  curtains,  and  the  dread  thought  of 
parting  first  presented  itself.  A  cavalry  trumpet,  too,  at 
this  moment  sounded  a  call  that  aroused  us  from  our  trance 
of  pleasure,  and  warned  us  that  our  moments  were  few. 
A  dead  silence  crept  over  all,  the  solemn  feeling  which 
1  (vive-taking  ever  inspires  was  uppermost,  and  none  spoke. 
The  Major  was  the  first  to  b:-eak  it. 

"  O'M alley,  my  friend  ;  and  you,  Mr.  Sparks  ;  I  must  have 
a  word  with  yon,  boys,  before  we  part." 

"  Here  let  it  be,  then,  Major,"  said  I,  holding  his  arm  aa 
he  turned  to  leave  the  room  ;  "  here,  now ;  we  are  all  so 
deeply  interested,  no  place  is  so  fit." 

"  Well,  then,"  said  the  Major,  "  as  you  desire  it,  now 
that  I'm  to  regard  you  both  in  the  light  of  my  sons-in-law 
— at  least,  as  pledged  to  become  so — it  is  only  fair  as  re- 
spects  " 

"  I  see — I  understand  perfectly,"  interrupted  I,  whose 
passion  for  conducting  the  whole  affair  myself  was  gradu- 
ally gaining  on  me.  "  What  you  mean  is,  that  we  should 
make  known  our  intentions  before  some  mutual  friends  ere 
we  part — eh,  Sparks  ?  eh,  Major  ?  " 

"Eight,  my  boy — ri^ht  on  every  point." 

"Well,  then,  I  thought  of  all  that;    and  if  you'll  just 


206  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

send  your  servant  over  to  my  quarters  for  our  Captain — • 
he's  the  fittest  person,  you  know,  at  such  a  time " 

"  How  considerate  !  "  said  Mrs.  Dalrymple. 

"How  perfectly  just  his  idea  is !  "  said  the  Major. 

"  We'll,  then,  in  his  presence,  avow  our  present  and  un- 
alterable determination  as  regards  your  fair  daughters : 
and  as  the  time  is  short " 

Here  I  turned  towards  Matilda,  who  placed  her  arm 
within  mine  ;  Sparks  possessed  himself  of  Fanny's  hand, 
while  the  Major  and  his  wife  consulted  for  a  few 
seconds. 

"  Well,  O'Malley,  all  you  propose  is  perfect.  Now,  then, 
Jbr  the  Captain.  Who  shall  he  inquire  for?  " 

"  Oh,  an  old  friend  of  yours,"  said  I,  jocularly ;  "  you'll 
be  glad  to  see  him." 

*'  Indeed !  "  said  all  together. 

"  Oh  yes,  quite  a  surprise,  I'll  warrant  it." 

"  Who  can  it  be?  who  on  earth  is  it  ?  " 

"You  can't  guess,"  added  I,  with  a  very  knowing  look  j 
"  knew  you  at  Corfu  :  a  very  intimate  friend  indeed,  if  he 
tell  the  truth." 

A  look  of  something  like  embarrassment  passed  around 
the  circle  at  these  words,  while  I,  wishing  to  end  the 
mystery,  resumed : 

"  Come,  then,  who  can  be  so  proper  for  all  parties,  at  a 
moment  like  this,  as  our  mutual  friend,  Captain  Power  ?  " 

Had  a  shell  fallen  into  the  cold  grouse  pie  in  the  midst 
of  us,  scattering  death  and  destruction  on  every  side,  the 
effect  could  scarcely  have  been  more  frightful  than  that  my 
last  words  produced.  Mrs.  Dalrymple  fell  with  a  sough 
upon  the  floor,  motionless  as  a  corpse ;  Fanny  threw  her- 
self, screaming,  upon  a  sofa ;  Matilda  went  off  into  strong 
hysterics  upon  the  hearth-rug  ;  while  the  Major,  after  giving 
me  a  look  a  maniac  might  have  envied,  rushed  from  the 
room  in  search  of  his  pistols,  with  a  most  terrific  oath  to 
shoot  somebody,  whether  Sparks  or  myself,  or  both  of  us, 
on  his  return,  I  cannot  say.  Fanny's  sobs  and  Matilda's 
cries,  assisted  by  a  drumming  process  by  Mrs.  Dai's  heels 
upon  the  floor,  made  a  most  infernal  concert,  and  effec- 
tually prevented  anything  like  thought  or  reflection ;  and, 
in  all  probability,  so  overwhelmed  was  I  at  the  sudden 
catastrophe  I  had  so  innocently  caused,  I  should  have 


THE    SUPPER.  207 

waited  in  due  patience  for  the  Major's  return,  had  not 
Sparks  seized  my  arm,  and  cried  out, — 

"  Run  for  it,  O'Malley ;  cut  like  fun,  my  boy,  or  we're 
done  for." 

"Run— why? — what  for?— where?"  said  I,  stupefied 
by  the  scene  before  me. 

"  Here  he  is !  "  called  out  Sparks,  as,  throwing  up  the 
window,  he  sprang  out  upon  the  stone  sill,  and  leaped  into 
the  street.  I  followed  mechanically,  and  jumped  after  him, 
just  as  the  Major  had  reached  the  window.  A  ball  whizzed 
by  me,  that  soon  determined  my  further  movements  ;  so, 
putting  on  all  speed,  I  flew  down  the  street,  turned  the 
corner,  and  regained  the  hotel  breathless  and  without  a 
hat,  while  Sparks  arrived  a  moment  later,  pale  as  a  ghost, 
and  trembling  like  an  aspen-leaf. 

"  Safe,  by  Jove ! "  said  Sparks,  throwing  himself  into 
a  chair,  and  panting  for  breath. 

"  Safe  at  last,"  said  I,  without  well  knowing  why  or 
for  what. 

"  You've  had  a  sharp  run  for  it,  apparently,"  said 
Power,  coolly,  and  without  any  curiosity  as  to  the  cause ; 
"  and,  now,  let  us  on  board ;  there  goes  the  trumpet 
again.  The  Skipper  is  a  surly  old  fellow,  and  we  must 
not  lose  his  tide  for  him."  So  saying,  he  proceeded  to 
collect  his  cloaks,  cane,  &c.,  and  get  ready  for  departure. 


203  CHARLES  O'MALLEY» 


CHAPTER  XXVIIL 

THE   VOTAOH. 

WHEN  I  awoke  from  the  long,  sound  sleep  which  stro 
ceeded  my  last  adventure,  I  had  some  difficulty  in  remem- 
bering where  I  was,  or  how  I  had  come  there.  From  my 
narrow  berth  I  looked  out  upon  the  now  empty  cabin, 
and,  at  length,  some  misty  and  confused  sense  of  my 
situation  crept  slowly  over  me.  I  opened  the  little  shutter 
beside  me,  and  looked  out.  The  bold  headlands  of  the 
southern  coast  were  frowning,  in  sullen  and  dark  masses, 
about  a  coaple  of  miles  distant,  and  I  perceived  that  we 
were  going  fast  through  the  water,  which  was  beautifully 
calm  and  still.  I  now  looked  at  my  watch ;  it  was  past 
eight  o'clock ;  and,  as  it  must,  evidently  be  evening,  from 
the  appearance  of  the  sky,  I  felt  that  I  had  slept  soundly 
for  above  twelve  hours. 

In  the  hurry  of  departure,  the  cabin  had  not  been  set 
to  rights,  and  there  lay  every  species  of  lumber  and  lug- 
gage in  all  imaginable  confusion.  Trunks,  gun-cases, 
baskets  of  eggs,  umbrellas,  hampers  of  sea-store,  cloaks, 
foraging-caps,  maps,  and  sword-belts,  were  scattered  on 
every  side — while  the  debris  of  a  dinner,  not  over  re- 
markable for  its  propriety  in  table  equipage,  added  to 
the  ludicrous  effect.  The  heavy  tramp  of  a  foot  over- 
head denoted  the  step  of  some  one  taking  his  short  walk 
of  exercise ;  while  the  rough  voice  of  the  Skipper,  as  he 
gave  the  word  to  "  Go  about !  "  all  convinced  me  that  we 
were  at  last  under  weigh,  and  off  to  "  the  wars," 

The  confusion  our  last  evening  on  shore  produced  in 
my  brain  was  such,  that  every  effort  I  made  to  remember 
anything  about  it  only  increased  my  difficulty,  and  I  felt 
myself  in  a  web  so  tangled  and  inextricable,  that  all 
endeavour  to  escape  free  was  impossible.  Sometimes  I 
thought  that  I  had  really  married  Matilda  Dalrymple; 
then,  I  supposed  that  the  father  had  called  me  out,  and 
wounded  me  in  a  duel;  and  finally,  I  had  some  confused 


THE    VOYAGE.  209 

notion  about  a  quarrel  with  Sharks,  but  what  for,  when, 
and  how  it  ended,  1  kuew  not.  How  tremendously  tipsy 
1  must  have  been !  was  the  only  conclusion  I  could  draw 
from  all  these  conflicting  doubts ;  and,  after  all,  it  was 
the  only  thing  like  fact  that  beamed  upon  my  mind.  How 
I  had  come  on  board  and  reached  ray  berth,  was  a  matter 
I  reserved  for  future  inquiry;  resolving  that,  about  the 
real  history  of  my  last  night  on  shore,  I  would  ask  no 
questions,  if  others  were  equally  disposed  to  let  it  pass  in 
silence. 

I  next  began  to  wonder  if  Mike  had  looked  after  all  my 
luggage,  trunks,  &c.,  and  whether  he  himself  had  been 
forgotten  in  our  hasty  departure.  About  this  latter  point 
I  was  not  destined  for  much  doubt ;  for  a  well  known 
voice,  from  the  foot  of  the  companion-ladder,  at  once 
proclaimed  my  faithful  follower,  and  evidenced  his  feel- 
ings at  his  departure  from  his  home  and  country. 

Mr.  Free  was,  at  the  time  I  mention,  gathered  up  like 
a  ball  opposite  a  small,  low  window,  tliat  looked  upon  the 
bluff  headlands  now  fast  becoming  dim  and  misty  as  the 
night  approached.  He  was  apparently  in  low  spirits , 
and  hummed  in  a  species  of  low,  droning  voice,  the  fol- 
lowing ballad,  at  the  end  of  each  verse  of  which  came  an 
Irish  chorus,  which,  to  the  erudite  in  such  matters^  will 
suggest  the  air  of  Moddirederoo : — 


«« MICKEY   FREE'S   LAMENT. 

*'  Then  fare  ye  well,  ould  Erin  dear ; 

To  part  — my  heart  does  ache  well: 
From  Carriukfer^us  to  Cape  Clear, 

I'll  never  see  your  equal. 
And,  though  to  foreign  parts  we're  bound, 

Where  cannibals  may  ate  us, 
We'll  ne'er  forget  the  holy  ground 

Of  poteen  and  potatoes. 

Moddirederoo  aroo,  aroo,  &C. 


**  When  good  St.  Patrick  banished  frogs, 

And  shook  them  from  Ins  ^arnieat 
He  never  thought  we'd  go  abroad, 
To  live  upon  such  vaiuiiui, 


210  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

Nor  quit  the  land  where  whisky  grew, 

To  wear  King  George's  button, 
Take  vinegar  for  mountain  dew, 

And  toads  for  mountain  mutton. 

Moddirederoo  aroo,  aroo,"  Afl. 

u  I  say,  Mike,  stop  that  confounded  keen,  and  tell  me 
where  are  we  ?  " 

«'  Off  the  ould  head  of  Kinsale,  sir." 

"  Where  is  Captain  Power  ?  " 

"  Smoking  a  cigar  on  deck,  with  the  Captain,  sir." 

"And  Mr.  Sparks?" 

"  Mighty  sick  in  his  own  state-room.  Oh !  but  it's 
himself  has  enough  of  glory — bad  luck  to  it ! — by  this 
time.  He'd  make  your  heart  break  to  look  at  him." 

"  Who  have  yon  got  on  board  besides  ?  " 

"  The  Adjutant's  here,  sir ;  and  an  old  gentleman  they 
call  the  Major." 

"  Not  Major  Dalrymple  ? "  said  I,  starting  up  with 
terror  at  the  thought,  "  eh,  Mike  ?  " 

"  No,  sir,  another  Major ;  his  name  is  Mulroon,  or 
Mundoon,  or  something  like  that." 

"Monsoon,  you  son  of  a  lumper  potato,"  cried  out  a 
surly,  gruff  voice  from  a  berth  opposite,  "  Monsoon.  Who's 
at  the  other  side  ?  '* 

"  Mr.  O'Malley,  14th,"  said  I,  by  way  of  introduction. 

"  My  service  to  you,  then,"  said  the  voice.  "  Going  to 
join  your  regiment  ?  " 

"  Yes ;  and  you  are — you  bound  on  a  similar  errand  ?  '* 

"No,  Heaven  be  praised!  I'm  attached  to  the  Com- 
missariat, and  only  going  to  Lisbon.  Have  you  had  any 
dinner  ?  " 

"  Not  a  morsel ;  have  you  ?  *' 

•*  No  more  than  yourself;  but  I  always  lie  by  for  three  or 
four  days  this  way,  till  I  get  used  to  the  confounded  rock- 
ing and  pitching ;  and,  with  a  little  grog  and  some  sleep, 
get  over  the  time  gaily  enough.  Steward,  another  tumbler 
like  the  last ;  there — very  good — that  will  do.  Your  good 
health,  Mr. what  was  it  you  said  ?  " 

"  O'Malley." 

"  O'Malley — your  good  health — good  night.**  And  so 
ended  our  brief  colloquy,  and,  in  a  few  minutes  more,  • 


THE  TOYAOB.  211 

very  decisive  snore  pronounced  my  friend  to  be  fulfilling 
his  precept  for  killing  the  hours. 

I  now  made  the  effort  to  emancipate  myself  from  my 
crib,  and  at  last  succeeded  in  getting  on  the  floor,  where, 
after  one  chastez  at  a  small  looking-glass  opposite,  fol- 
lowed by  a  very  impetuous  rush  at  a  little  brass  stove,  in 
which  I  was  interrupted  by  a  trnnlr  and  laid  prostrate,  I 
finally  got  my  clothes  on,  and  made  <ny  way  to  the  deck. 
Little  attuned  as  was  my  mind  at  the  moment  to  admire 
anything  like  scenery,  it  was  impossible  to  be  unmoved 
by  the  magnificent  prospect  before  me.  It  was  a  beautiful 
evening  in  summer ;  the  sun  had  set  above  an  hour  before, 
leaving  behind  him  in  the  west  one  vast  arch  of  rich  and 
burnished  gold,  stretching  along  the  whole  horizon,  and 
tipping  all  the  summits  of  the  heavy  rolling  sea,  as  it 
rolled  on,  unbroken  by  foam  or  ripple,  in  vast  moving 
mountains  from  the  far  coast  of  Labrador.  We  were 
already  in  blue  water,  though  the  bold  cliffs  that  were  to 
form  our  departing  point  were  but  a  few  miles  to  leeward. 
There  lay  the  lofty  bluff  of  Old  Kinsale,  whose  crest, 
overhanging,  peered  from  a  summit  of  some  hundred  feet 
into  the  deep  water  that  swept  its  rocky  base,  many  a 
tangled  lichen  and  straggling  bough  trailing  in  the  flood 
beneath.  Here  and  there,  upon  the  coast,  a  twinkling 
gleam  proclaimed  the  hut  of  the  fisherman,  whose  swift 
hookers  had  more  than  once  shot  by  us,  and  disappeared 
in  a  moment.  The  wind,  which  began  to  fall  at  sunset, 
freshened  as  the  moon  rose  ;  and  the  good  ship,  bending 
to  the  breeze,  lay  gently  over,  and  rushed  through  the 
waters  with  a  sound  of  gladness.  I  was  alone  upon  the 
deck ;  Power  and  the  Captain,  whom  I  expected  to  have 
found,  had  disappeared  somehow,  and  I  was,  after  all,  not 
sorry  to  be  left  to  my  own  reflections  uninterrupted. 

My  thoughts  turned  once  more  to  my  home — to  my 
first,  my  best,  earliest  friend,  whose  hearth  I  had  rendered 
lonely  and  desolate,  and  my  heart  sunk  within  me  as  I 
remembered  it.  How  deeply  I  reproached  myself  for  the 
selfish  impetuosity  with  which  I  had  ever  followed  any 
rising  fancy,  any  new  and  sudden  desire,  and  never 
thought  of  him  whose  every  hope  was  in,  whose  every 
wish  was  for  me.  Alas !  alas !  my  poor  uncle !  how 
gladly  would  I  resign  every  prospect  my  soldier's  life  may 


212  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

hold  out,  with  all  glittering  promise,  and  all  the  flattery 
of  success,  to  be  once  more  beside  you  ;  to  feel  your  warm 
and  manly  grasp  ;  to  see  your  smile  ;  to  hear  your  voice; 
to  be  again  where  all  our  best  feelings  are  born  and 
nurtured,  our  cares  assuaged,  our  joys  more  joyed  in,  and 
our  griefs  more  wept — at  home  !  These  very  words  have 
mor<^  music  to  my  ears  than  all  the  softest  strains  that 
ever  syren  sung.  They  bring  us  back  to  all  we  have 
loved,  by  ties  that  are  never  felt  but  through  such  simple 
associations.  And  in  the  earlier  memories  called  up,  our 
childish  feelings  come  back  once  more  to  visit  us,  like 
better  spirits,  as  we  walk  amid  the  dreary  desolation  that 
years  of  care  and  uneasiness  have  spread  around  us. 

Wretched  must  he  be  who  ne'er  has  felt  such  bliss  ;  and 
thrice  happy  he,  who,  feeling  it,  knows  that  still  there 
lives  for  him  that  same  early  home,  with  all  its  loved 
inmates,  its  every  dear  and  devoted  object  waiting  his 
com  ing,  and  longing  for  his  approach. 

Such  were  my  thoughts  as  I  stood  gazing  at  the  bold 
line  of  coast  now  gradually  growing  more  and  more  dim 
while  evening  fell,  and  we  continued  to  stand  farther  out 
to  sea.  So  absorbed  was  I  all  this  time  in  my  reflections, 
that  I  never  heard  the  voices  which  now  suddenly  burst 
upon  my  ears  quite  close  beside  me.  I  turned,  and  saw 
for  the  first  time  that,  at  the  end  of  the  quarter-deck, 
stood  what  is  called  a  roundhouse,  a  small  cabin,  from 
which  the  sounds  in  question  proceeded.  I  walked  gently 
forward,  and  peeped  in,  and  certainly  anything  more  in 
contrast  with  my  late  reverie  need  not  be  conceived. 
There  sat  the  skipper,  a  bluff,  round-faced,  jolly-looking 
little  tar,  mixing  a  bowl  of  punch  at  the  table,  at  which 
sat  my  friend  Power,  the  Adjutant,  and  a  tall  meagre- 
looking  Scotchman,  whom  I  once  met  in  Cork,  and  hoard 
that  he  was  the  doctor  of  some  infantry  regiment.  Two 
or  three  black  bottles,  a  paper  of  cigars,  and  a  tallow 
candle  were  all  the  table  equipage  ;  but,  certainly,  the 
party  seemed  not  to  want  for  spirits  and  fun,  to  judge 
from  the  hearty  bursts  of  laughing  that  every  moment 
pealed  forth,  and  shook  the  little  building  that  held  them. 
Power,  as  usual  with  him,  seemed  to  be  taking  the  lead, 
and  was  evidently  amusing  himself  with  the  peculiarities! 
of  his  companions. 


THE   VOYAG2.  218 

M  Come,  Adjutant,  fill  np  ;  here's  to  the  campaign  before 
ns  ;  we,  at  least,  have  nothing  but  pleasure  in  the  antici- 
pation ;  no  lovely  wife  behind  ;  no  charming  babes  to  fret, 
and  be  fretted  for,  eh  ?  " 

"  Vara  true,"  said  the  Doctor,  who  was  mated  with  a 
tartar;  " ye  mann  have  less  regrets  at  leaving  hame  ;  but 
a  married  man  is  no'  entirely  denied  his  ain  consola- 
tions." 

"  Good  sense  in  that,"  said  the  Skipper  ;  "  a  wide  berth 
and  plenty  of  sea-room  are  not  bad  things  now  and  then." 

"  Is  that  your  experience  also  ?  "  said  Power,  with  a 
knowing  look.  "Come,  come,  Adjutant,  we're  not  so  ill 
off,  you  see  ;  but,  by  Jove,  I  can't  imagine  how  it  is  a 
man  ever  comes  to  thirty  without  having  at  least  one 
wife  ;  without  counting  his  colonial  possessions,  of 
course." 

"  Yes,"  said  the  Adjutant,  with  a  sigh,  as  he  drained 
his  glass  to  the  bottom.  "  It  is  devilish  strange — woman, 
lovely  woman  I "  Here  he  filled  and  drank  again,  as 
though  he  had  been  proposing  a  toast  for  his  own  peculiar 
drinking. 

"I  say,  now,"  resumed  Power,  catching  at  once  that 
there  was  something  working  in  his  mind — "  I  say,  now, 
how  happened  it  that  you,  a  right  good-locking,  soldier- 
like fellow,  that  always  made  his  way  among  the  fair  ones, 
with  that  confounded  roguish  eye  and  slippery  tongue — 
how  the  deuce  did  it  come  to  pass  that  you  never  mar- 
ried ?  " 

"  I've  been  more  than  once  on  the  verge  of  it,"  said  the 
Adjutant,  smiling  blandly  at  the  flattery. 

"  And  nae  bad  notion  yours  just  to  stay  there."  said  the 
Doctor,  with  a  very  peculiar  contortion  of  countenance. 

"  No  pleasing  you — no  contenting  a  fellow  like  you," 
eaid  Power,  returning  to  the  charge;  "that's  the  thing; 
you  get  a  certain  ascendancy  ;  you  have  a  kind  of  success 
that  renders  you,  as  the  French  say,  t£fe  montee,  and  you 
think  no  woman  rich  enough,  or  good-looking  enough,  or 
high  enough." 

"No;  by  Jove,  you're  wrong,"  said  the  Adjutant,  swal- 
lowing the  bait,  hook  and  all — '*  quite  wrong  there  ;  for, 
somehow,  all  my  life,  I  was  decidedly  susceptible.  Not 
that  I  cared  much  for  your  blushing  sixteen,  or  budding 


214  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

beauties  in  white  muslin,  fresh  from  a  back-board  and 
a  governess ;  no,  my  taste  inclined  rather  to  the  more 
sober  charms  of  two  or  three-and-thirty,  the  embon- 
point, a  good  foot  and  ankle,  a  sensible  breadth  about  the 
shoulders " 

"  Somewhat  Dutch-like,  I  take  it,"  said  the  Skipper, 
puffing  out  a  volume  of  smoke  ;  **  a  little  bluff  in  the  bows, 
and  great  stowage,  eh  ?  " 

"  You  leaned,  then,  towards  the  widows  ?  "  said  Power. 

"  Exactly  :  I  confess  a  widow  always  was  my  weakness. 
There  was  something  I  ever  liked  in  the  notion  of  a  woman 
who  had  got  over  all  the  awkward  girlishness  of  early 
/ears,  and  had  that  self-possession  which  habit  and  know- 
ledge of  the  world  confer,  and  knew  enough  of  herself  to 
understand  what  she  really  wished,  and  where  she  would 
really  go." 

'*  Like  the  trade  winds,"  puffed  the  Skipper. 

"  Then,  as  regards  fortune,  they  have  a  decided  superiority 
over  the  spinster  class.  I  defy  any  man  breathing — let 
him  be  half  police-magistrate,  half  chancellor — to  find  out 
the  figure  of  a  young  lady's  dower.  On  your  first  intro- 
duction to  the  house,  some  kind  friend  whispers,  *  Go  it, 
old  boy;  forty  thousand,  not  a  penny  less.'  A  few  weeks 
later,  as  the  siege  progresses,  a  maiden  aunt,  disposed  to 
puffing,  comes  down  to  twenty  ;  this  diminishes  again 
one-half,  but  then  *  the  money  is  in  Bank  Stock,  hard 
Three-and-a-Half.'  You  go  a  little  farther,  and,  as  you 
sit  one  day  over  your  wine  with  papa,  he  certainly  pro- 
mulgates the  fact  that  his  daughter  has  five  thousand 
pounds,  two  of  which  turn  out  to  be  in  Mexican  bonds, 
and  three  in  an  Irish  mortgage." 

44  Happy  for  you,"  interrupted  Power,  "that  it  be  not 
in  Gal  way,  where  a  proposal  to  foreclose  would  be  a  sig- 
nal for  your  being  called  out,  and  shot  without  benefit  of 
clergy." 

"  Bad  luck  to  it,  for  Galway,"  said  the  Adjutant.  "I 
was  nearly  taken  in  there  once  to  marry  a  girl  that  her 
brother-in-law  swore  had  eight  hundred  a  year,  and  it 
came  out  afterwards  that  so  she  had,  but  it  was  for  one 
year  only ;  and  he  challenged  me  for  doubting  his  word 
too." 

**  There's  an  old  formula  for  finding  out  an  Irish  for- 


THE   VOYAGE.  215 

tune,"  says  Power,  "worth  all  the  algebra  they  ever 
taught  in  Trinity.  Take  the  half  of  the  assumed  sum, 
and  divide  it  by  three ;  the  quotient  will  be  a  flattering 
representative  of  the  figure  sought  for." 

"  Not  in  the  north,"  said  the  Adjutant,  firmly — **  not  in 
the  north,  Power ;  they  are  all  well  off  there.  There's  a 
race  of  canny,  thrifty,  half-Scotch  niggers — your  pardon, 
Doctor,  they  are  all  Irish — linen-weaving,  Presbyterian, 
yarn- factoring,  long-nosed,  hard-drinking  fellows,  that 
lay  by  rather  a  snug  thing  now  and  then.  Do  you  know 
I  was  very  near  it  once  in  the  north.  I've  half  a  mind 
to  tell  you  the  story  ;  though,  perhaps,  you'll  laugh  at 
me." 

The  whole  party  at  once  protested  that  nothing  could 
induce  them  to  deviate  so  widely  from  the  line  of  pro- 
priety ;  and  the  Skipper  having  mixed  a  fresh  bowl,  and 
filled  all  the  glasses  round,  the  cigars  were  lighted,  and 
the  Adjutant  began. 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

THI  ADJUTANT'S  STOKT— LIFE  IN  DIKBT. 

"  IT  is  now  about  eight,  maybe  ten,  years  since,  we  were 
ordered  to  march  from  Belfast  and  take  up  our  quarters 
in  Londonderry.  We  had  not  been  more  than  a  few 
weeks  altogether  in  Ulster,  when  the  order  came  ;  and,  as 
we  had  been,  for  the  preceding  two  years,  doing  duty  in 
the  south  and  west,  we  concluded  that  the  island  was 
tolerably  the  same  in  all  parts.  We  opened  our  campaign 
in  the  maiden  city,  exactly  as  we  had  been  doing  with  '  un- 
paralleled success '  in  Cashel,  Fermoy,  Tuam,  &c. — that  is 
to  say,  we  announced  garrison  bajls  and  private  theatricals ; 
offered  a  cup  to  be  run  for  in  steeple-chase  ;  turned  out  a 


216  CHARLES  O'MALLBY. 

four-in-hand  drag,  with  mottled  greys ;  and  brought  over 
two  Deal  boats  to  challenge  the  north." 

"  The  18th  found  the  place  stupid,"  said  his  com- 
panions. 

';  To  be  sure  they  did ;  slow  fellows  like  them  must  find 
any  place  stupid.  No  dinners ;  but  they  gave  none.  No 
fun ;  but  they  had  none  in  themselves.  In  feet,  we  knew 
better  :  we  understood  how  the  thing  was  to  be  done ;  and 
resolved  that,  as  a  mine  of  rich  ore  lay  unworked,  it  was 
reserved  for  us  to  produce  the  shining  metal  that  others, 
less  discerning,  had  failed  to  discover.  Little  we  knew  of 
the  matter ;  never  was  there  a  blunder  like  ours.  Were 
you  ever  in  Derry  ?  " 

"  Never,"  said  the  three  listeners. 

"Well,  then,  let  me  inform  you,  that  the  place  has  its 
own  peculiar  features.  In  the  first  place,  all  the  large 
towns  in  the  south  and  west  have,  besides  the  country 
neighbourhood  that  surrounds  them,  a  certain  sprinkling 
of  gentlefolk,  who,  though  with  small  fortunes  and  not 
much  usage  of  the  world,  are  still  a  great  accession  to 
society,  and  make  up  the  blank  which,  even  in  the  most 
thickly-peopled  country,  would  be  sadly  felt  without  them. 
Now,  in  Derry,  there  is  none  of  this.  After  the  great 
guns — and,  per  Ehcclio !  what  great  guns  they  are! — you. 
have  nothing  but  the  men  engaged  in  commerce —  sharp, 
clever,  shrewd,  well-informed  fellows ;  they  are  deep  iu 
flax-seed,  cunning  in  molasses,  and  not  to  be  excelled  in  all 
that  pertains  to  coffee,  sassafras,  cinnamon,  gum,  oakum,  and 
elephants'  teeth.  The  place  is  a  rich  one,  and  the  spirit  of 
commerce  is  felt  throughout  it.  Nothing  is  cared  for, 
nothing  is  talked  of,  nothing  alluded  to,  that  does  not  bear 
upon  this ;  and,  in  fact,  if  you  haven't  a  venture  in  Smyrna 
figs,  Memel  timber,  Dutch  dolls,  or  some  such  commodity, 
you  are  absolutely  nothing,  and  might  as  well  be  at  a  ball 
with  a  cork  leg,  or  go  deaf  to  the  Opera. 

"  Now,  when  I've  told  thus  much,  I  leave  you  to  guess 
what  impression  our  triumphal  entry  into  the  city  pro- 
duced. Instead  of  the  admiring  crowds  that  awaited  us 
elsewhere,  as  we  marched  gaily  into  quarters,  here  we  saw 
nothing  but  grave,  sober-looking,  and,  I  confess  it,  intelli- 
gent-looking faces,  that  scrutinized  our  appearance  closely 
enough,  but  evidently  with  no  great  approval,  and  less 


THE  ADJUTANT'S  STORY — LITE  IN  DERRY.      217 

enthusiasm.  The  men  passed  on  hurriedly  to  the  counting- 
houses  and  the  wharfs ;  the  women,  with  almost  as  littlo 
interest,  peeped  at  us  from  the  windows,  and  walked  away 
again.  Oh  !  how  we  wished  for  Galway — glorious  Gal- 
way,  that  paradise  of  the  infantry,  that  lies  west  of  the 
Shannon.  Little  we  knew,  as  we  ordered  the  band,  in 
lively  anticipation  of  the  gaieties  before  us,  to  strike  up 
'  Payne's  first  set,'  that,  to  the  ears  of  the  fair  listeners  in 
Ship  Quay  Street,  the  rumble  of  a  sugar  hogshead,  or  the 
crank  of  a  weighing  crane,  were  more  delightful  music." 

"By  Jove!"  interrupted  Power,  "you  are  quite  right. 
Women  are  strongly  imitative  in  their  tastes.  The  lovely 
Italian,  whose  very  costume  is  a  natural  following  of  a 
Raphael,  is  no  more  like  the  pretty  Liverpool  damsel  than 
Genoa  ia  to  Glasnevin ;  and  yet,  what  the  deuce  have  they, 
dear  souls !  with  their  feet  upon  a  soft  carpet,  and  their 
eyes  upon  the  pages  of  Scott  or  Byron,  to  do  with  all  the 
cotton  or  dimity  that  ever  was  printed  ?  But  let  us  not 
repine :  that  very  plastic  character  is  our  greatest  bless- 
ing." 

'•  I'm  not  so  sure  that  it  always  exists,"  said  the  Doctor, 
dubiously,  as  though  his  own  experience  pointed  other- 
wise. 

"  Well,  go  ahead  ! "  said  the  Skipper,  who  evidently  dis- 
liked the  digression  thus  interrupting  the  Adjutant's  story. 

"  Well,  we  marched  along,  looking  right  and  left  at  the 
pretty  faces — and  there  were  plenty  of  the  .1,  too — that  a 
momentary  curiosity  drew  to  the  windows;  but,  although 
we  smiled,  and  ogled,  and  leered,  as  only  a  newly  arrived 
regiment  can  smile,  ogle,  or  leer,  by  all  that's  provoking, 
we  might  as  well  have  wasted  our  blandishments  upon  the 
Presbyterian  meeting-house  that  frowned  upon  us  with  its 
high-pitched  roof  and  round  windows. 

"  '  Droll  people,  these,'  said  one ;  '  Rayther  rum  ones,' 
cried  another ;  '  The  black  north,  by  Jove  ! '  said  a  third  : 
and  so  we  went  along  to  the  barracks,  somewhat  displeased 
to  think  that,  though  the  18th  were  slow,  they  might  have 
met  their  match. 

rt  Disappointed,  as  we  undoubtedly  felt,  at  the  little 
enthusiasm  that  marked  our  entree,  we  still  resolved  to 
persist  in  our  original  plan,  and,  accordingly,  eai-ly  the  fol- 
lowing morning,  announced  our  intention  of  giving  ama- 


218  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

teur  theatricals.  The  Mayor,  who  called  upon  onr  Colonel, 
was  the  first  to  learn  this,  and  received  the  information 
with  pretty  much  the  same  kind  of  look  the  Archbishop 
of  Canterbury  might  be  supposed  to  assume,  if  requested 
by  a  friend  to  ride  **  a  Derby."  The  incredulous  expres- 
sion of  the  poor  man's  face,  as  he  turned  from  one  of  us 
to  the  other,  evidently  canvassing  in  his  mind  whether  we 
might  not,  by  some  special  dispensation  of  Providence,  be 
all  insane,  I  shall  never  forget. 

w  His  visit  was  a  very  short  one ;  whether  concluding 
that  we  were  not  quite  safe  company,  or  whether  our  noti- 
fication was  too  much  for  his  nerves,  I  know  not. 

*'  We  were  not  to  be  baulked,  however ;  our  plans  for 
gaiety,  long-planned  and  conned  over,  were  soon  an- 
nounced in  all  form ;  and  though  we  made  efforts  almost 
superhuman  in  the  cause,  our  plays  were  performed  to 
empty  benches,  our  balls  were  unattended,  our  pic-nic 
invitations  politely  declined,  and,  in  a  word,  all  our  ad- 
vances treated  with  a  cold  and  chilling  politeness,  that 
plainly  said,  '  We'll  none  of  you.' 

*'  Each  day  brought  some  new  discomfiture,  and,  as  we 
met  at  mess,  instead  of  having,  as  heretofore,  some  pros- 
pect of  pleasure  and  amusement  to  chat  over,  it  was  only 
to  talk  gloomily  over  our  miserable  failures,  and  lament 
the  dreary  quarters  that  our  fates  had  doomed  us  to. 

"  Some  months  wore  on  in  this  fashion,  and  at  length — 
what  will  not  time  do  ? — we  began,  by  degrees,  to  forgefc 
our  woes.  Some  of  us  took  to  late  hours  and  brandy-and- 
water;  others  got  sentimental,  and  wrote  journals,  and 
novels,  and  poetry ;  some  made  acquaintances  among  the 
townspeople,  and  cut  in  to  a  quiet  rubber  to  pass  the 
evening ;  while  another  detachment,  among  which  I  was, 
got  up  a  little  love  affair  to  while  away  the  tedious  hours, 
and  cheat  the  lazy  sun. 

"  I  have  already  said  something  of  my  taste  in  beauty ; 
now,  Mrs.  Boggs  was  exactly  the  style  of  woman  I  fancied. 
She  was  a  widow ;  she  had  black  eyes — not  your  jet-black, 
sparkling,  Dutch-doll  eyes,  that  roll  about  and  twinkle, 
but  mean  nothing — no ;  hers  had  a  soft,  subdued,  down- 
cast, pensive  look  about  them,  and  were  fully  as  melting  a 
pair  of  orbs  as  any  blue  eyes  you  ever  looked  at. 

"  Then,  she  had  a  short  upper  lip,  and  sweet  teeth  ;  by 


THE  ADJUTANT'S  STORY — LIFE  IN  DERBY.      219 

Jove,  they  were  pearls  !  and  she  showed  them,  too,  pretty 
often.  Her  figure  was  well  rounded,  plump,  and  what  the 
French  call  nette.  To  complete  all,  her  instep  and  ankle 
were  unexceptional ;  and  lastly,  her  jointure  was  seven 
hundred  pounds  per  annum,  with  a  trifle  of  eight  thou- 
sand more,  that  the  late  lamented  Boggs  bequeathed, 
when,  after  four  months  of  uninterrupted  bliss,  he  left 
Derry  for  another  world. 

"  When  chance  first  threw  me  in  the  way  of  the  fair 
widow,  some  casual  coincidence  of  opinion  happened  to 
raise  me  in  her  estimation,  and  I  soon  afterwards  received 
an  invitation  to  a  small  evening  party  at  her  house,  to 
which  I  alone  of  the  regiment  was  asked. 

"  I  shall  not  weary  you  with  the  details  of  my  intimacy : 
it  is  enough  that  I  tell  you  I  fell  desperately  in  love.  I 
began  by  visiting  twice  or  thrice  a  week,  and,  in  less  than 
two  months,  spent  every  morning  at  her  house,  and  rarely 
left  it  till  the  '  Boast  beef '  announced  mess. 

"  I  soon  discovered  the  widow's  cue ;  she  was  serious. 
Now,  I  had  conducted  all  manner  of  flirtations  in  my 
previous  life ;  timid  young  ladies,  manly  young  ladies, 
musical,  artistical,  poetical,  and  hysterical.  Bless  you,  I 
knew  them  all  by  heart ;  but  never  before  had  I  to  deal 
with  a  serious  one,  and  a  widow  to  boot.  The  case  was  a 
trying  one.  For  some  weeks  it  was  all  very  up-hill  work ; 
all  the  red  shot  of  warm  affection  I  used  to  pour  in  on 
other  occasions  was  of  no  use  here.  The  language  of  love, 
in  which  I  was  no  mean  proficient,  availed  me  not.  Com- 
pliments and  flattery,  those  rare  skirmishers  before  the 
engagement,  were  denied  me ;  and  I  verily  think  that  a 
tender  squeeze  of  the  hand  would  have  cost  me  my  dis- 
missal. 

"  '  How  very  slow,  all  this  !'  thought  I,  as,  at  the  end 
of  two  months'  siege,  I  still  found  myself  seated  in  the 
treaches,  and  not  a  single  breach  in  the  fortress  ;  '  but,  to 
be  sure,  it's  the  way  they  have  in  the  north,  and  one  must 
be  patient.' 

"  While  thus  I  was  in  no  very  sanguine  frame  of  mind 
as  to  my  prospects,  in  reality  my  progress  was  very  con- 
siderable. Having  become  a  member  of  Mr.  M'Phun's 
congregation,  I  was  gradually  rising  in  the  estimation  of 
the  widow  and  her  friends,  whom  my  constant  attendance 


220  CHARLES   0*MALLEY. 

at  meeting,  and  my  very  serious  demeanour,  had  so  far 
impressed,  that  very  grave  deliberation  was  held  whether 
I  should  not  be  made  an  elder  at  the  next  brevet. 

"  If  the  Widow  Boggs  had  not  been  a  very  lovely  and 
wealthy  widow — had  she  not  possessed  the  eyes,  lips,  hips, 
ankles,  and  jointure  aforesaid — I  honestly  avow  that 
neither  the  charms  of  that  sweet  man  Mr.  M'Phun's  elo- 
quence, nor  even  the  flattering  distinction  in  store  for  me, 
would  have  induced  me  to  prolong  my  suit.  However, 
1  was  not  going  to  despaii  when  in  sight  of  land.  The 
widow  was  evidently  softened.  A  little  time  longer,  and 
the  most  scrupulous  moralist,  the  most  rigid  advocate  for 
employing  time  wisely,  could  not  have  objected  to  my 
daily  system  of  courtship.  It  was  none  of  your  sighing, 
dying,  ogling,  hand-squeezing,  waist- pressing,  oath-swear- 
ing, everlasting-adoring  affairs,  with  an  interchange  of 
rings  and  lockets ;  not  a  bit  of  it.  It  was  confoundedly 
like  a  controversial  meeting  at  the  Rotundo,  and  I  myself 
had  a  fax  greater  resemblance  to  Father  Tom  Magnire 
than  a  gay  Lothario. 

"  After-  all,  when  mess-time  came,  when  the '  Roast  beef 
played,  and  we  assembled  at  dinner,  and  the  soup  and  fish 
had  gone  round,  with  two  glasses  of  sherry  in,  my  spirits 
rallied,  and  a  very  jolly  evening  consoled  me  for  all  my 
fatigues  and  exertions,  and  supplied  me  with  energy  for 
the  morrow  ;  for,  let  me  observe  here,  that  I  only  made 
love  before  dinner.  The  evenings  I  reserved  for  myself, 
assuring  Mrs.  Boggs  that  my  regimental  duties  required 
all  my  time  after  mess  hour,  in  which  I  was  perfectly 
correct ;  for  at  six  we  dined  ;  at  seven  I  opened  the  claret 
Xo.  1 ;  at  eight  I  had  uncorked  my  second  bottle ;  by  half- 
past  eight  I  was  returning  to  the  sherry;  and  at  ten, 
punctual  to  the  moment,  I  was  repairing  to  my  quarters 
on  the  back  of  my  servant,  Tim  Daly,  who  had  carried  me 
safely  for  eight  years,  without  a  single  mistake,  as  the  fox- 
hunters  say.  This  was  a  way  we  had  in  the  — th.  Every 
man  was  carried  away  from  mess,  some  sooner,  some  later. 
I  was  always  an  early  riser,  and  went  betimes. 

"  Now,  although  I  had  very  abundant  proof,  from  cir- 
cumstantial evidence,  that  I  was  nightly  removed  from  the 
mess-room  to  my  bed  in  the  mode  I  mention,  it  would  have 
puzzled  me  sorely  to  prove  the  fact  in  any  direct  way :  in- 


THE  ADJUTANT'S  STORY — LIFE  IN  DERBY.      221 

asmuch  as,  by  half-past  nine,  as  the  clock  chimed  and 
Tim  entered  to  take  me,  I  was  v«ry  innocent  of  all  that 
was  going  on,  and,  except  a  certain  vague  sense  of  regret 
at  leaving  the  decanter,  felt  nothing  whatever. 

"  It  so  chanced — what  mere  trifles  are  we  ruled  by  in 
our  destiny ! — that  just  as  my  suit  with  the  widow  had 
assumed  its  most  favourable  footing,  old  General  Hinks, 
that  commanded  the  district,  announced  his  coming  over 
to  inspect  our  regiment.  Over  he  came  accordingly,  and, 
to  be  sure,  we  had  a  day  of  it.  We  were  paraded  for  six 
mortal  hours ;  then  we  were  marching  and  countermarch- 
ing ;  moving  into  Jine ;  back  again  into  column ;  now 
forming  open  column,  then  into  square  ;  till,  at  last,  we 
began  to  think  that  the  old  General  was  like  the  Flying 
Dutchman,  and  was  probably  condemned  to  keep  on  drill- 
ing us  to  the  day  of  judgment.  To  be  sure,  he  enlivened 
the  proceeding  to  me  by  pronouncing  the  regiment  the 
worst-drilled  and  appointed  corps  in  the  service,  and  the 
Adjutant  (me!)  the  stupidest  dunderhead — these  were  his 
words — he  had  ever  met  with. 

"  '  Never  mind,'  thought  I ;  *  a  few  days  more,  and  it's 
little  I'll  care  for  the  eighteen  manoeuvres.  It's  small 
trouble  your  eyes  right,  or  your  left  shoulders  forward,  will 
give  me.  I'll  sell  out,  and  with  the  Widow  Boggs  and 
seven  hundred  a  year — bat  no  matter.' 

"  This  confounded  inspection  lasted  till  half-past  five  in 
the  afternoon ;  so  that  our  mess  was  delayed  a  full  hour  in 
consequence,  and  it  was  past  seven  as  we  sat  down  to 
dinner.  Our  faces  were  grim  enough  as  we  met  together 
at  iirst ;  but  what  will  not  a  good  dinner  and  good  wine 
do  for  the  surliest  party  ?  By  eight  o'clock  we  began  to 
feel  somewhat  more  convivially  disposed ;  and,  before 
nine,  the  decanetrs  were  performing  a  quick  step  round 
the  table,  in  a  fashion  very  exhilarating  and  very  jovial  to 
look  at. 

" '  Xo  flinching  to-night,'  gaid  the  senior  Major. 
*  We've  had  a  severe  day  ;  let  us  also  have  a  merry  even- 
ing.' 

"  '  By  Jove !  Ormond,'  cried  another, '  we  must  not  leave 
this  to-night.  Confound  the  old  humbugs  and  their  musty 
wliist  party  ;  throw  them  over.'  , 

" '  I  say,  Adjutant,'  said  Forbes,  addressing  me,  '  you've 


222  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

nothing  particular  to  say  to  the  fair  widow  this  evening  P 
You'll  not  bolt,  I  hope?' 

" '  That  he  shan't,'  said  one  near  me  ;  '  he  must  make 
tip  for  his  absence  to-morrow,  for  to-night  we  all  stand 
fast.' 

"  '  Besides,'  said  another,  *  she's  at  meeting  by  this. 
Old — what-d'ye-call-him  ? — is  at  fourteenthly  before  now." 

" '  A  note  for  you,  sir,'  said  the  mess  waiter,  presenting 
me  with  a  rose-coloured  three-cornered  billet.  It  was  from 
la  chere  Boggs  herself,  and  ran  thus : — 

*' '  DEAR  SIR, — Mr.  M'Phun  and  a  few  friends  are  coming 
fco  tea  at  my  house  after  meeting :  perhaps  you  will  also 
favour  us  with  your  company. 

"  *  Yours  truly, 

" '  ELIZA  BOGGS.' 

"  What  was  to  be  done  P  Quit  the  mess — leave  a  jolly 
party  just  at  the  jolliest  moment — exchange  Lafitte  and 
red  hermitage  for  a  soiree  of  elders,  presided  over  by  that 
sweet  man,  Mr.  M'Phun!  It  was  too  bad! — but  then, 
how  much  was  in  the  scale  ?  What  would  the  widow  say 
if  I  declined  ?  What  would  she  think  ?  I  well  knew 
that  the  invitation  meant  nothing  less  than  a  full-dress 
parade  of  me  before  her  friends,  and  that  to  decline  was 
perhaps  to  forfeit  all  my  hopes  in  that  quarter  for  ever. 

" '  Any  answer,  sir  ? '  said  the  waiter. 

"  *  Yes,'  said  I,  in  a  half- whisper,  '  I'll  go — tell  the  ser- 
vant, I'll  go.' 

"  At  this  moment  my  tender  epistle  was  subtracted  from 
before  me,  and,  ere  I  had  turned  round,  had  made  the  tour 
of  half  the  table.  I  never  perceived  the  circumstance, 
however,  and  filling  my  glass,  professed  my  resolve  to  sit 
to  the  last,  with  a  mental  reserve  to  take  my  departure  at 
the  very  first  opportunity.  Ormond  and  the  Paymaster 
quitted  the  room  for  a  moment,  as  if  to  give  orders  for  a 
broil  at  twelve,  and  now  all  seemed  to  promise  a  very  con- 
vivial and  well-sustained  party  for  the  night. 

"  Is  that  all  arranged  ?  '  inquired  the  Major,  as  Ormond 
entered. 

"  '  All  right,'  said  he  ;  '  and  now  let  us  have  a  bumper 
and  a  song.  Adjutant,  old  boy,  give  us  a  chant.' 


THE  ADJUTANT  S  STORY — LIFE  IN   DERBY. 

" '  What  shall  it  be,  then  ?  '  inquired  I,  anxious  to  cover 
my  intended  retreat  by  any  appearance  of  joviality. 
"  *  Give  us — 

«  "  When  I  was  In  the  Fusilier* 
Some  fourteen  years  ago. " ' 

"  *  No,  no ;  confound  it !  I've  heard  nothing  else  since  I 
joined  the  regiment.  Let  us  have  the  "  Paymaster's 
Daughter." ' 

" '  Ah !  that's  pathetic ;  I  like  that,'  lisped  a  young 
ensign. 

"  '  If  I'm  to  have  a  vote,'  grunted  out  the  senior  Major, 
'I  pronounce  for  "  West  India  Quarters."  ' 

"  '  Yes,  yes,'  said  half  a  dozen  voices  together, '  let's  have 
"  West  India  Quarters."  Come,  give  him  a  glass  of  sherry, 
and  let  him  begin.' 

"  I  had  scarcely  finished  off  my  glass,  and  cleared  my 
throat  for  my  song,  when  the  clock  on  the  chimney-piece 
chimed  half-past  nine,  and  the  same  instant  I  felt  a  heavy 
hand  fall  upon  my  shoulder.  I  turned,  and  beheld  my 
servant,  Tim.  This,  as  I  have  already  mentioned,  was  the 
hour  at  which  Tim  was  in  the  habit  of  taking  me  home  to 
my  quarters  ;  and,  though  we  had  dined  an  hour  later,  he 
took  no  notice  of  the  circumstance,  but,  true  to  his  custom, 
he  was  behind  my  chair.  A  very  cursory  glance  at  my 
*  familiar '  was  quite  sufficient  to  show  me  that  we  had 
somehow  changed  sides  ;  for  Tim,  who  was  habitually  the 
most  sober  of  mankind,  was,  on  the  present  occasion, 
exceedingly  drunk,  while  I,  a  full  hour  before  that  con- 
summation, was  perfectly  sober. 

'"What  d'ye  want,  sir?'  inquired  I,  with  something 
of  severity  in  my  manner. 

" '  Come  home,'  said  Tim,  with  a  hiccup  that  set  the 
whole  table  in  a  roar. 

"  *  Leave  the  room  this  instant,'  said  I,  feeling  wrath 
at  being  thus  made  a  butt  of  for  his  offences.  *  Leave  the 
room,  or  I'll  kick  you  out  of  it.'  Now,  this,  let  me  add, 
in  a  parenthesis,  was  somewhat  of  a  boast,  for  Tim  was  six 
feet  three,  and  strong  in  proportion,  and,  when  in  liquor, 
fearless  as  a  tiger. 

"  *  You'll  kick   me   out  of  the  room — eh  1   will  you  P 


224  OHAULES   O'M ALLEY. 

Try — only  try  it,  that's  all.*     Here  a  new  roar  of  laugh 
burst  forth,  while  Tim,  again   placing  aii  enormous  pa 
upon    my   shoulder,  continued,  '  Don't   be   sitting   ther 
making    a   baste  of  yourself,  when   you've   got   enougl 
Don 't  yon  see  you're  drunk  ?  ' 

"  I  sprang  to  my  legs  on  this,  and  made  a  rash  to  the 
fireplace,  to  secure  the  poker ;  but  Tim  was  beforehand 
with  me,  and  seizing  me  by  the  waist  with  both  hands, 
flung  me  across  his  shoulders,  as  though  I  were  a  baby, 
saying,  at  the  same  time,  '  I'll  take  you  away  at  half-past 
eight,  to-morrow,  av  you're  as  rampageous  again.'  I 
kicked,  I  plunged,  I  swore,  I  threatened,  I  eveu  begged 
and  implored  to  be  set  down  ;  but,  whether  my  voice  was 
lost  in  the  uproar  around  me,  or  that  Tim  only  regarded 
Euy  denunciations  in  the  light  of  cursing,  I  know  not,  but 
he  carried  me  bodily  down  the  stairs,  steadying  himself  by 
one  hand  on  the  banisters,  while  with  the  other  he  held 
me  as  in  a  vice.  I  had  but  one  consolation  all  this  while  ; 
it  was  this,  that,  as  my  quarters  lay  immediately  behind 
the  mess-room,  Tim's  excursion  would  soon  come  to  an 
end,  and  I  should  be  free  once  more ;  but  guess  my  terror 
to  find  that  the  drunken  scoundrel,  instead  of  going,  as 
usual,  to  the  left,  turned  short  to  the  right  hand,  and 
marched  boldly  into  Ship  Quay  Street.  Every  window  in 
the  mess-room  was  filled  with  our  fellows,  absolutely 
shouting  with  laughter.  '  Go  it,  Tim  ! — that's  the  fellow  ! 
— hold  him  tight ! — never  let  go ! '  cried  a  dozen  voices ; 
while  the  wretch,  with  the  tenacity  of  drunkenness,  gripped 
me  still  harder,  and  took  his  way  down  the  middle  of  the 
street. 

"  It  was  a  beautiful  evening  in  July,  a  soft  summer 
night,  as  I  made  this  pleasing  excursion  down  the  most 
frequented  thoroughfare  iu  the  maiden  city ;  my  struggles 
every  moment  exciting  roars  of  laughter  from  an  increasing 
crowd  of  spectators,  who  seemed  scarcely  less  amused  than 
puzzled  at  the  exhibition.  In  the  midst  of  a  torrent  of 
imprecations  against  my  torturer,  a  loud  noise  attracted 
me.  I  turned  my  head,  and  saw — horror  of  horrors ! — the 
door  of  the  meeting-house  just  flung  open,  and  the  con- 
gregation issuing  forth  en  masse.  Is  it  any  wonder  if  1 
remember  no  more?  There  I  was,  the  chosen  one  of  the 
Widow  Boggs — the  elder  elect— the  favoured  friend  and 


THE  ADJUTANT'S  STORY — LIFE  IN  DERBY.     225 

admired  associate  of  Mr  M'Phun,  taking  an  airing  on  a 
Bummer's  evening  on  the  back  of  a  drunken  Irishman. 
Oh !  the  thought  was  horrible ;  and,  certainly,  the  short 
and  pithy  epithets  by  which  I  was  characterized  in  the 
crowd,  neither  improved  my  temper  nor  assuaged  my 
wrath ;  and  I  feel  bound  to  confess  that  my  own  language 
was  neither  serious  nor  becoming.  Tim,  however,  cared 
little  for  all  this,  and  pursued  the  even  tenor  of  his  way 
through  the  whole  crowd,  nor  stopped  till,  having  made 
half  the  circuit  of  the  wall,  he  deposited  me  safe  at  my 
own  door,  adding,  as  he  set  me  down,  '  Oh  !  av  you're  as 
throublesome  every  evening,  it's  a  wheelbarrow  I'll  be 
oblee°;ed  to  bring  for  you.' 

"  The  next  day  I  obtained  a  short  leave  of  absence,  and, 
ere  a  fortnight  expired,  exchanged  into  the  — th,  preferring 
Halifax  itself  to  the  ridicule  that  awaited  me  in  London- 
derry." 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

FRED    POWER'S   AD  TEN-TURK   IK    PHILIP3TOWH. 

THE  lazy  hours  of  the  long  summer  day  crept  slowly  over. 
The  sea,  unbroken  by  foam  or  ripple,  shone  like  a  broad 
blue  mirror,  reflecting  here  and  there  some  fleecy  patches 
of  snow-white  cloud  as  they  stood  unmoved  in  the  sky. 
The  good  ship  rocked  to  and  fro  with  a  heavy  and  lumber- 
ing motion  ;  the  cordage  rattled ;  the  bulkheads  creaked ; 
the  sails  flapped  lazily  against  the  masts ;  the  very  sea- 
gulls seemed  to  sleep  as  they  rested  on  the  long  swell  that 
bore  them  along ;  and  everything  in  sea  and  sky  bespoke 
the  calm.  No  sailor  trod  the  deck  ;  no  watch  was  stirring  ; 
the  very  tiller  ropes  were  deserted  ;  and,  as  they  traversed 


226  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

backwards  and  forwards  with  every  roll  of  the  vessel, 
told  that  we  had  no  steerage  way,  and  lay  a  mere  log  upon 
the  water. 

I  sat  alone  in  the  bow,  and  fell  into  a  musing  fit  upon 
the  past  and  the  future.  How  happily  for  us  is  it  ordained 
that,  in  the  most  stirring  existences,  there  are  every  here 
and  there  such  little  resting-spots  of  reflection,  from  which, 
as  from  some  eminence,  we  look  back  upon  the  road  we 
have  been  treading  in  life,  and  cast  a  wistful  glance  at  the 
dark  vista  before  us !  When  first  we  set  out  upon  our 
worldly  pilgrimage,  these  are,  indeed,  precious  moments, 
when,  with  buoyant  heart  and  spirit  high,  believing  all 
things,  trusting  all  things,  our  very  youth  comes  back 
to  us,  reflected  from  every  object  we  meet ;  and,  like 
Narcissus,  we  are  but  worshipping  our  own  image  in  the 
water.  As  we  go  on  in  life,  the  cares,  the  anxieties,  and 
the  business  of  the  world,  engross  us  more  and  more; 
and  such  moments  become  fewer  and  shorter.  Many  a 
bright  dream  has  been  dissolved,  many  a  fairy  vision 
replaced,  by  some  dark  reality;  blighted  hopes,  false 
friendships,  have  gradually  worn  callous  the  heart  once 
alive  to  every  gentle  feeling,  and  time  begins  to  tell  upon 
us ;  yet  still,  as  the  well-remembered  melody  to  which  we 
listened  with  delight  in  infancy  brings  to  our  mature  age 
a  touch  of  early  years,  so  will  the  very  association  of 
these  happy  moments  recur  to  ns  in  our  reverie,  and 
make  us  young  again  in  thought.  Then  it  is  that,  as 
we  look  back  upon  our  worldly  career,  we  become  con- 
vinced how  truly  is  the  child  the  father  of  the  man,  how 
frequently  are  the  projects  of  our  manhood  the  fruit  of 
some  boyish  predilection ;  and  that,  in  the  emulative 
ardour  that  stirs  the  schoolboy's  heart,  we  may  read  the 
prestige  of  that  high  daring  that  makes  a  hero  of  its 
possessor. 

These  moments,  too,  are  scarcely  more  pleasurable  than 
they  are  salutary  to  us.  Disengaged,  for  the  time,  from 
every  worldly  anxiety,  we  pass  in  review  before  our  own 
selves,  and  in  the  solitude  of  our  own  hearts  are  we  judged. 
That  still  small  voice  of  conscience,  unheard  and  unlistened 
to  amid  the  din  and  bustle  of  life,  speaks  audibly  to  ns 
now  ;  and,  while  chastened  on  one  side  by  regrets,  we  are 
sustained  on  the  other  by  some  approving  thought,  and, 


FRED  POWER'S   ADVENTURE   IN   PHILIPSTOWN.       227 

with  many  a  sorrow  for  the  past,  and  many  a  promise  for 
the  future,  we  begin  to  feel  "  how  good  it  is  for  us  to  be 
here." 

The  evening  wore  later ;  the  red  sun  sank  down  upon 
the  sea,  growing  larger  and  larger  ;  tlie  long  line  of  mellow 
gold  that  sheeted  along  the  distant  horizon,  grew  first  of 
a  dark  ruddy  tinge,  then  paler  and  paler,  till  it  became 
almost  grey  ;  a  single  star  shone  faintly  in  the  east,  and 
darkness  soon  set  in.  With  night  came  the  wind,  for 
almost  imperceptibly  the  sails  swelled  slowly  out,  a  slight 
rustle  at  the  bow  followed,  the  ship  lay  geutly  over,  and 
we  were  once  more  in  motion.  It  struck  four  bells  ;  some 
casual  resemblance  in  the  sound  to  the  old  pendulum  that 
marked  the  hour  at  my  uncle's  house,  startled  me  so  that 
I  actually  knew  not  where  I  was.  With  lightning  speed 
my  once  home  rose  up  before  me  with  its  happy  hearts ; 
the  old  familiar  faces  were  there  ;  the  gay  laugh  was  in  my 
ears  ;  there  sat  my  dear  old  uncle,  as  with  bright  eye  and 
mellow  voice  he  looked  a  very  welcome  to  his  guests  ;  there 
Boyle  ;  there  Considine  ;  there  the  griin-visaged  portraits 
that  graced  the  old  walls,  whose  black  oak  wainscot  stood 
in  broad  light  and  shadow,  as  the  blazing  turf  fire  shone 
upon  it ;  there  was  my  own  place,  now  vacant ;  methought 
my  uncle's  eye  was  turned  towards  it,  and  that  I  heard 
him  say,  "My  poor  boy!  I  wonder  where  is  he  now!" 
My  heart  swelled ;  my  chest  heaved  ;  the  tears  coursed 
slowly  down  my  cheeks,  as  I  asked  myself,  "  Shall  I  ever 
see  them  more  ?"  Oh !  how  little,  how  very  little  to  us 
are  the  accustomed  blessings  of  our  life,  till  some  change 
has  robbed  us  of  them  ;  and  how  dear  are  they  when  lost 
to  us  !  My  uncle's  dark  foreboding  that  we  should  never 
meet  again  on  earth  came,  for  the  first  time,  forcibly  to 
my  mind,  and  my  heart  was  full  to  bursting.  What  could 
repay  me  for  the  agony  of  that  moment,  as  I  thought  of 
him — my  first,  my  best,  my  only  friend — whom  I  had 
deserted  ?  and  how  gladly  would  I  have  resigned  my 
bright  day-dawn  of  ambition  to  be  once  more  beside  his 
chair ;  to  hear  his  voice  ;  to  see  his  smile  ;  to  feel  his  love 
for  me !  A  loud  laugh  from  the  cabin  roused  me  from 
my  sad,  depressing  reverie ;  and,  at  the  same  instant, 
Mike's  well-known  voice  informed  me  that  the  Captain 
was  looking  for  me  every  where,  as  supper  was  on  the  table. 


228  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

Little  as  I  felt  disposed  to  join  the  party  at  such  a  mo- 
ment, as  I  knew  there  was  no  escaping  Power,  I  resolved 
to  make  the  best  of  matters ;  so,  after  a  few  minutes, 
I  followed  Mickey  down  the  companion,  and  entered  the 
cabin. 

The  scene  before  me  was  certainly  not  calculated  to 
perpetuate  depressing  thoughts.  At  the  head  of  a  rude 
old-fashioned  table,  upon  which  figured  several  black 
bottles,  and  various  ill-looking  drinking  vessels  of  every 
shape  and  material,  sat  Fred  Power;  on  his  right  was 
placed  the  skipper ;  on  his  left,  the  doctor ;  the  bronzed, 
merry-looking,  weather-beaten  features  of  the  one,  con- 
trasting ludicrously  with  the  pale,  ascetic,  acute-looking 
expression  of  the  other.  Sparks,  more  than  half-drunk, 
with  the  mark  of  a  red-hot  cigar  upon  his  nether  lip,  was 
lower  down;  while  Major  Monsoon,  to  preserve  the 
symmetry  of  the  party,  had  protruded  his  head,  sur- 
mounted by  a  huge  red  nightcap,  from  the  berth  opposite, 
and  held  out  his  goblet  to  be  replenished  from  the  punch- 
bowl. 

"  Welcome,  thrice  welcome,  thou  man  of  Gal  way ! "  cried 
out  Power,  as  he  pointed  to  a  seat,  and  pushed  a  wine- 
glass towards  me.  "  Just  in  time,  too,  to  pronounce  upon 
a  new  brewery ;  taste  that ;  a  little  more  of  the  lemon 
you  would  say,  perhaps  ?  Well,  I  agree  with  you ;  rum 
and  brandy  ;  glenlivet  and  guava  jelly  ;  limes,  green  tea, 
and  a  slight  suspicion  of  preserved  ginger — nothing  else, 
upon  honour — and  the  most  simple  mixture  for  the  cure, 
the  radical  cure,  of  blue  devils  and  debt  I  know  of;  eh, 
Doctor  ?  you  advise  it  yourself,  to  be  taken  before  bed- 
time ;  nothing  inflammatory  in  it ;  nothing  pugnacious  ; 
a  mere  circulation  of  the  better  juices  and  more  genial 
spirits  of  the  marly  clay,  without  arousing  any  of  the 
baser  passions  ;  whisky  is  the  devil  for  that." 

"  I  canna  say  that  I  dinna  like  whisky-toddy,"  Baid  the 
Doctor ;  "  in  the  cauld  winter  nights  it's  no  sae  bad." 

"  Ah  !  that's  it,"  said  Power ;  "  there's  the  pull  you 
Scotch  have  upon  us  poor  Patlanders ;  cool,  calculating, 
long-headed  fellows,  you  only  come  up  to  the  mark  after 
fifteen  tumblers ;  whereas  we  hot-brained  devils,  with  a 
blood  at  212  deg.  of  Fahrenheit  and  a  high-pressure 
engine  of  good  spirits  always  ready  for  an  explosion,  we 


FRED.   FOVVKR'S  ADVENTURE   IN  PHILIPSTOWN.     229 

go  clean  mad  when  tipsy ;  not  but  I  am  fully  convinced 
that  a  mad  Irishman  is  worth  two  sane  people  of  any  other 
country  under  heaven." 

"  If  you  mean  by  that  insin — insin — sinuation  to  imply 
any  disrespect  to  the  English,"  stuttered  out  Sparks,  "  I 
am  bound  to  say  that  I  for  one,  and  the  Doctor,  I  am  sure, 
for  another " 

"  Na,  na,"  interrupted  the  Doctor,  "ye  manna  coont 
upon  me ;  I'm  no  disposed  to  fecht  ower  our  liquor." 

"  Then,  Major  Monsoon,  I'm  certain " 

"  Are  ye,  faith  ?  "  said  the  Major,  with  a  grin  ;  "  blessed 
are  they  who  expect  nothing — of  which  number  you  are 
not — for  most  decidedly  you  shall  be  disappointed." 

"  Never  mind,  Sparks,  take  the  whole  fight  to  your  own 
proper  self,  and  do  battle  like  a  man  ;  and  here  I  stand, 
ready  at  all  arms  to  prove  my  position — that  we  drink 
better,  sing  better,  court  better,  fight  better,  and  make 
better  punch  than  every  John  Bull  from  Berwick  to  the 
Land's  End." 

Sparks,  however,  who  seemed  not  exactly  sure  how  far 
his  antagonist  was  disposed  to  quiz,  relapsed  into  a  half- 
tipsy  expression  of  contemptuous  silence,  and  sipped  his 
liquor  without  reply. 

"  Yes,"  said  Power,  after  a  pause,  "  bad  luck  to  it  for 
whisky ;  it  nearly  got  me  broke  once,  and  poor  Tom 
O'Reilly  of  the  5th,  too,  the  best-tempered  fellow  in  the 
service ;  we  were  as  near  it  as  touch  and  go ;  and  all  for 
some  confounded  Loughrea  spirits,  that  we  believed  to  be 
perfectly  innocent,  and  used  to  swill  away  freely,  without 
suspicion  of  any  kind." 

"  Let's  hear  the  story,"  said  I,  "  by  all  means.'* 

"It's  not  a  long  one,"  said  Power;  "so  I  don't  care  if 
I  tell  it ;  and,  besides  if  I  make  a  clean  breast  of  my  own 
sins,  I'll  insist  upon  Monsoon's  telling  you  afterwards  how 
he  stocked  his  cellar  in  Cadiz ;  eh,  Major?  there's  worse 
tipple  than  the  King  of  Spain's  sherry  ?  " 

"  You  shall  j  udge  for  yourself,  old  boy,"  said  Monsoon, 
good-humouredly ;  "  and,  as  for  the  narrative,  it  is  equally 
at  your  service.  Of  course,  it  goes  no  farther.  The  Com. 
mander-in-Chief,  long  life  to  him !  is  a  glorious  fellow  ;  but 
he  has  no  more  idea  of  a  joke  than  the  Archbishop  of 
Canterbury,  and  it  might  chance  to  reach  him." 


230  CHARLES 

"  Recount,  and  fear  not ! "  cried  Power, "  we  are  discreet 
as  the  worshipful  company  of  apothecaries." 

"  But  you  forget  you  are  to  lead  the  way." 

*'  Here  goes,  then,"  said  the  jolly  Captain ;  "  not  that 
the  story  has  any  merit  in  it,  but  the  moral  is  beautiful." 

"  Ireland,  to  be  sure,  is  a  beautiful  country,  but  some- 
how it  would  prove  a  very  dull  one  to  be  quartered  in,  if 
it  were  not  that  the  people  seem  to  have  a  natural  taste 
for  the  army.  From  the  belle  of  Merrion  Square  down  to 
the  innkeeper's  daughter  in  Tralee,  the  loveliest  part  of  the 
creation  seem  to  have  a  perfect  appreciation  of  our  high 
acquirements  and  advantages;  and,  in  no  other  part  of 
the  globe,  the  Tonga  Islands  included,  is  a  red  coat  more 
in  favour.  To  be  sure,  they  would  be  very  ungrateful  if 
it  were  not  the  case;  for  we,  upon  our  sides,  leave  no 
stone  unturned  to  make  ourselves  agreeable.  We  ride, 
drink,  play,  and  make  love  to  the  ladies,  from  Fairhead  to 
Killarney,  in  away  greatly  calculated  to  render  us  popular; 
and,  as  far  as  making  the  time  pass  pleasantly,  we  are 
the  boys  for  the  *  greatest  happiness  '  principle.  I  repeat 
it ;  we  deserve  our  popularity.  Which  of  us  does  not  get 
head  and  ears  in  debt  with  garrison  balls  and  steeple-chases, 
picnics,  regattas,  and  the  thousand-and-one  inventions  to 
get  rid  of  one's  spare  cash,  so  called  for  being  so  sparingly 
dealt  out  by  our  governors  ?  Now  and  then,  too,  when  all 
else  fails,  we  take  a  newly-joined  ensign,  and  make  him 
marry  some  pretty  but  penniless  lass,  in  a  country  town, 
just  to  show  the  rest  that  we  are  not  joking,  but  have 
serious  ideas  of  matrimony,  in  the  midst  of  all  our  flirta- 
tions. If  it  were  all  like  this,  the  Green  Isle  would  be 
paradise ;  but,  unluckily,  every  now  and  then,  one  is  c 
demned  to  some  infernal  place,  where  there  is  neithei 
pretty  face  nor  tight  ankle ;  where  the  priest  himself 
not  a  good  fellow  ;  and  long,  ill-paved,  straggling  street 
filled,  on  market  days,  with  booths  of  striped  calico,  an 
soapy  cheese,  is  the  only  promenade ;  and  a  ruinous  bar- 
rack, with  mouldy  walls  and  a  tumbling  chimney,  the  only 
quarters. 

"  In  vain,  on  your  return  from  your  morning  stroll  or 
afternoon  canter,  you  look  on  the  chimney-piece  for  a 
shower  of  visiting  cards,  and  pink  notes  of  invitation ; 
in  vain  you  ask  your  servant  has  any  one  called.  Alas  I 


FRED.    POWER'S   ADVENTURE    IN    PHILIPSTOWN.      231 

your  only  visitor  has  been  the  gauger,  to  demand  a  party 
to  assist  in  still-hunting,  amid  that  interesting  class  of  the 
population,  who,  having  nothing  to  eat,  are  engaged  in 
devising  drink,  and  care  as  much  for  the  life  of  a  red- 
coat as  you  do  for  that  of  a  crow  or  a  curlew.  This  may 
seem  overdrawn ;  but  I  would  ask  you,  were  you  evei 
for  your  sins  quartered  in  that  capital  city  of  the  Bog  ol 
Allen  they  call  Philipstown  ?  Oh,  but  it  is  a  romantic 
spot!  They  tell  us  somewhere  that  much  of  the  expres- 
sion of  the  human  face  divine  depends  upon  the  objects 
which  constantly  surround  us.  Thus  the  inhabitants  of 
mountain  districts  imbibe,  as  it  were,  a  certain  bold  and 
daring  character  of  expression  from  the  scenery,  very 
different  from  the  placid  and  monotonous  look  of  those 
who  dwell  in  plains  and  valleys ;  and  I  can  certainly  credit 
the  theory  in  this  instance,  for  every  man,  woman,  and 
child  you  meet  has  a  brown,  baked,  scruffy,  turf-like  face, 
that  fully  satisfies  you  that,  if  Adam  were  formed  of  clay, 
the  Philipstown  people  were  worse  treated,  and  only  made 
of  bog  mould. 

"Well,  one  fine  morning,  poor  Tom  and  myself  were 
marched  off  from  Birr,  where  one  might  'live  and  love 
for  ever,'  to  take  up  our  quarters  at  this  sweet  spot. 
Little  we  knew  of  Philipstown,  and,  like  my  friend  the 
Adjutant  there,  when  he  laid  siege  to  Derry,  we  made  our 
entree  with  all  the  pomp  we  could  muster,  and  though  we 
had  no  band,  our  drums  and  fifes  did  duty  for  it ;  and 
we  brushed  along  through  turf-creels  and  wicker-baskets 
of  new  brogues  that  obstructed  the  street  till  we  reached 
the  barrack,  the  only  testimony  of  admiration  we  met 
with  being,  I  feel  bound  to  admit,  from  a  ragged  urchin 
of  ten  years,  who,  with  a  wattle  in  his  hand,  imitated  me 
as  I  marched  along,  and,  when  I  cried  halt,  took  his  leave 
of  us  by  dexterously  fixing  his  thumb  to  the  side  of  his 
nose  and  outstretching  his  fingers,  as  if  thus  to  convey 
a  very  strong  hint  that  we  were  not  half  so  fine  fellows 
as  we  thought  ourselves.  Well,  four  mortal  summer 
months  of  hot  sun  and  cloudless  sky  went  over,  and  still 
we  lingered  in  that  vile  village,  the  everlasting  monotony 
of  our  days  being  marked  by  the  same  brief  morning 
drill,  the  same  blue-legged  chicken  dinner,  the  same 
smoky  Loughrea  whisky,  and  the  same  evening  stroll  along 


232  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

the  canal  bank  to  watch  for  the  Dublin  packet-boat,  with 
its  never-varying  cargo  of  cattle-dealers,  priests,  and 
peelers  on  their  way  to  the  west  country,  as  though  the 
demand  for  such  colonial  productions  in  these  parts  was 
insatiable.  This  was  pleasant,  you  will  say;  but  what 
was  to  be  done  P  We  had  nothing  else.  Now,  nothing 
saps  a  man's  temper  like  ennui.  The  cranky,  peevish 
people  one  meets  with  would  be  excellent  folk,  if  they 
only  had  something  to  do.  As  for  us,  I'll  venture  to  say 
two  men  more  disposed  to  go  pleasantly  down  the  current 
of  life  it  were  hard  to  meet  with ;  and  yet  such  was  the 
consequence  of  these  confounded  four  months'  sequestra- 
tion from  all  other  society,  we  became  sour  and  cross- 
grained  ;  everlastingly  disputing  about  trifles,  and  con- 
tinually arguing  about  matters  which  neither  were  inter- 
ested in,  nor,  indeed,  knew  anything  about.  There  were, 
it  is  true,  few  topics  to  discuss ;  newspapers  we  never 
saw ;  sporting  there  was  none ;  but,  then,  the  drill,  the 
return  of  duty,  the  probable  chances  of  our  being  ordered 
for  service,  were  all  daily  subjects  to  be  talked  over,  and 
usually  with  considerable  asperity  and  bitterness.  One 
point,  however,  always  served  us  when  hard  pushed  for  a 
bone  of  contention,  and  which,  begun  by  a  mere  accident 
at  first,  gradually  increased  to  a  sore  and  peevish  subject, 
and  finally  led  to  the  consequences  which  I  have  hinted 
at  in  the  beginning.  This  was  no  less  than  the  respective 
merits  of  our  mutual  servants  ;  each  everlastingly  indulg- 
ing in  a  tirade  against  the  other  for  awkwardness,  incivility, 
unhandiness — charges,  I  am  bound  to  confess,  most  amply 
proved  on  either  side. 

"  *  Well,  I  am  sure,  O'Reilly,  if  you  can  stand  that 
fellow, — it's  no  affair  of  mine,  but  such  an  ungainly; 
savage  I  never  met,'  I  would  say. 

"  To  which  he  would  reply,  '  Bad  enough  he  is,  certainly 
but,  by  Jove  !  when  I  only  think  of  your  Hottentot,  I  feel 
grateful  for  what  I've  got' 

"  Then  ensued  a  discussion,  with  attack,  rejoinder,  charge, 
and  recrimination,  till  we  retired  for  the  night,  wearied 
with  our  exertions,  and  not  a  little  ashamed  of  ourselves 
at  bottom  for  our  absurd  warmth  and  excitement.  In  the 
morning  the  matter  would  be  rigidly  avoided  by  each 
party  until  some  chance  occasion  had  brought  it  on  the 


FRED   POWEB'S   ADVENTURE    IN   PHILIPSTOWN.       233 

tapis,  when  hostilities  would  be  immediately  renewed,  and 
carried  on  with  the  same  vigour,  to  end  as  before. 

"  In  this  agreeable  state  of  matters  we  sat,  one  warm 
summer  eveuiug,  before  the  mess-room,  under  the  shade 
of  a  canvas  awning,  discussing,  by  way  of  refrigerant, 
our  eighth  tumbler  of  whisky  punch.  We  had,  as  usual, 
been  jarring  away  about  everything  under  heaven.  A 
lately  arrived  post-chaise,  with  an  old,  stiff-looking  gentle- 
man in  a  queue,  had  formed  a  kind  of  '  godsend  '  for 
debate,  as  to  who  he  was,  whither  he  was  going,  whether 
he  really  had  intended  to  spend  the  night  there,  or  that 
he  only  put  up  because  the  chaise  was  broken ;  each,  as 
was  customary,  maintaining  his  own  opinion  with  an 
obstinacy  we  have  often  since  laughed  at,  though,  at  the 
time,  we  had  few  mirthful  thoughts  about  the  matter. 

"  As  the  debate  waxed  warm,  O'Reilly  asserted  that  he 
positively  knew  the  individual  in  question  to  be  a  United 
Irishman,  travelling  with  instructions  from  the  French 
Government,  while  I  laughed  him  to  scorn  by  swearing 
that  he  was  the  rector  of  TyrrelTs  Pass ;  that  I  knew  him 
well ;  and,  moreover,  that  he  was  the  worst  preacher  in 
Ireland.  Singular  enough  it  was,  that  all  this  while  the 
disputed  identity  was  himself  standing  coolly  at  the  inn 
window,  with  his  snuff-box  in  his  hand,  leisurely  survey- 
ing us  as  we  sat,  appearing,  at  least,  to  take  a  very  lively 
interest  in  our  debate. 

"  '  Come  now,'  said  O'Reilly,  *  there's  only  one  way 
to  conclude  this,  and  make  you  pay  for  your  obstinacy. 
What  will  you  bet  that  he's  the  rector  of  Tyrrell's 
Pass?' 

"  '  What  odds  will  you  take  that  he's  Wolfe  Tone  ? ' 
inquired  I,  sneeringly. 

"  'Five  to  one  against  the  rector,'  said  he,  exultingly. 

"  '  An  elephant's  molar  to  a  toothpick  against  Wolfe 
Tone,'  cried  I. 

"  '  Ten  pounds  even  that  I  am  nearer  the  mark  than 
you,'  said  Tom,  with  a  smash  of  his  fist  upon  the  table. 

"  '  Done,'  said  I — *  done.  But  how  are  we  to  decide 
the  wager?' 

"  '  That's  soon  done,'  said  he.  At  the  same  instant  he 
sprang  to  his  legs,  and  called  out,  '  Pat — I  Bay,  Pat— I 
want  you  to  present  my  respects  to ' 


234  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

"  '  No,  no,  I  bar  that — no  ex  parte  statements.  Here, 
Jem,  do  you  simply  tell  that ' 

"  '  That  fellow  can't  deliver  a  message.  Do  come  here, 
Pat.  Just  beg  of ' 

"  'He'll  blunder  it,  the  confounded  fool;  so,  Jem,  do 
you  go.' 

"  The  two  individuals  thus  addressed  were  just  in  the 
act  of  conveying  a  tray  of  glasses  and  a  spiced  round  of 
beef  for  supper  into  the  mess-room;  and,  as  I  may  re- 
mark that  they  fully  entered  into  the  feelings  of  jealousy 
their  respective  masters  professed,  each  eyed  the  other 
with  a  look  of  very  unequivocal  dislike. 

"  '  Arrah !  ye  needn't  be  pushing  me  that  way,'  said 
Pat,  '  an'  the  round  o'  beef  in  my  hands.' 

"  '  Devil's  luck  to  ye !  it's  the  glasses  you'll  be  breaking 
with  your  awkward  elbow.' 

"  *  Then  why  don't  ye  leave  the  way  ?  ain't  I  your 
guparior  ? ' 

"  '  Ain't  I  the  Captain's  own  man  ? ' 

"  '  Ay,  and  if  you  war.  Don't  I  belong  to  his  betters  ? 
Isn't  my  master  the  two  Liftenants  ?  ' 

"  This,  strange  as  it  may  sound,  was  so  far  true,  as  I 
held  a  commission  in  an  African  corps,  with  my  Lieute- 
nancy in  the  5th. 

"  '  Be-gorra,  av  he  was  six — there  now,  you  done  it !  * 

"  At  the  same  moment  a  tremendous  crash  took  place, 
and  a  large  dish  fell  in  a  thousand  pieces  on  the  pave- 
ment,  while  the  spiced  round  rolled  pensively  down  the 
yard. 

"  Scarcely  was  the  noise  heard,  when,  with  one  vigor- 
ous kick,  the  tray  of  glasses  was  sent  spinning  into  the 
air,  and  the  next  moment  the  disputants  were  engaged  in 
bloody  battle.  It  was  at  this  moment  that  our  attention 
was  first  drawn  towards  them,  and  I  need  not  say  with 
what  feelings  of  interest  we  looked  on. 

"  '  Hit  him,  Pat — there,  Jem,  under  the  guard — that's 
it — go  in — well  done,  left  hand — by  Jove,  that  was  a 
facer — his  eye's  closed — he's  down — not  a  bit  of  it — how 
do  you  like  that  ? — unfair,  unfair — no  such  thing — I  say 
it  was — not  at  all — I  deny  it.' 

"  By  this  time  we  had  approached  the  combatants,  each 
man  patting  his  own  fellow  on  the  back,  and  encouraging 


FRED   POWER'S   ADVENTURE   IN  PHUJPSTOWN.      235 

him  by  the  most  lavish  promises.  Now  it  was,  but  in 
what  way  I  never  could  exactly  tell,  that  I  threw  out  my 
right  hand  to  stop  a  blow  that  I  saw  coming  rather  too 
near  me,  when,  by  same  unhappy  mischance,  my  doubled 
fist  lighted  upon  Tom  O'Reilly's  nose.  Before  I  could 
express  my  sincere  regret  for  the  accident,  the  blow  was 
returned  with  double  force,  and  the  next  moment  we  were 
at  it  harder  than  the  others.  After  five  minutes'  sharp 
work,  we  both  stopped  for  breath,  and  incontinently  burst 
out  a  laughing.  There  was  Tom,  with  a  nose  as  large  as 
three ;  a  huge  cheek  on  one  side,  and  the  whole  head 
swinging  round  like  a  harlequin's ;  while  I,  with  one  eye 
closed,  and  the  other  like  a  half-shut  cockle-shell,  looked 
scarcely  less  rueful.  We  had  not  much  time  for  mirth, 
for  at  the  same  instant  a  sharp,  full  voice  called  out  close 
beside  us, — 

"  '  To  your  quarters,  sirs.  I  put  you  both  under  arrest, 
from  which  you  are  not  to  be  released  until  the  sentence 
of  a  court-martial  decide  if  conduct  such  as  this  becomes 
officers  and  gentlemen.' 

"  I  looked  round,  and  saw  the  old  fellow  in  the  queue. 

"  '  Wolfe  Tone,  by  all  that's  unlucky  ! '  said  I,  with  an 
attempt  at  a  smile. 

''  '  The  Rector  of  Tyrrell's  Pass,'  cried  out  Tom,  with  a 
snuffle ;  '  the  worst  preacher  in  Ireland — eh,  Fred  ? ' 

"  We  had  not  much  time  for  further  commentaries 
upon  our  friend,  for  he  at  once  opened  his  frock  coat,  and 
displayed  to  our  horrified  gaze  the  uniform  of  a  general 
officer. 

"  Yes,  sir,  General  Johnston,  if  you  will  allow  me  to 
present  him  to  your  acquaintance:  and  now,  guard,  turn 
out.' 

"  In  a  few  minutes  more  the  orders  were  issued,  and 
poor  Tom  and  myself  found  ourselves  fast  confined  to  our 
quarters,  with  a  sentinel  at  the  door,  and  the  pleasant 
prospect  that,  in  the  space  of  about  ten  days,  we  should 
be  broke,  and  dismissed  the  service ;  which  verdict,  as 
the  general  order  would  say,  the  Commander  of  the  Forces 
has  been  graciously  pleased  to  approve. 

"  However,  when  morning  came,  the  old  General,  who 
was  really  a  trump,  inquired  a  little  further  into  the  mat- 
ter, saw  it  was  partly  accidental,  and,  after  a  severe  repri- 

Vol.  30— <9) 


286  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

mand,  and  a  caution  about  Loughrea  whisky  after  tlie 
sixth  tumbler,  released  us  from  arrest,  and  forgave  the 
whole  affair." 


CHAPTER  XXXL 

THE  VOYAGE. 

UGH  !  what  a  miserable  thing  is  a  voyage !  Here  we  are 
now  eight  days  at  sea ;  the  eternal  sameness  of  all  around 
growing  every  hour  less  supportable.  Sea  and  sky  are 
beautiful  things  when  seen  from  the  dark  woods  and 
waving  meadows  on  sh6re  :  but  their  picturesque  effect  is 
sadly  marred,  from  want  of  contrast;  besides  that,  the 
"toujoura  pork,"  with  crystals  of  salt  as  long  as  your 
wife's  fingers ;  the  potatoes,  that  seemed  varnished  in 
French  polish  ;  the  tea,  seasoned  with  geological  specimens 
from  the  basin  of  London,  yclept  maple  sugar;  and  the 
butter — ye  gods  ! — the  butter  !  But  why  enumerate  these 
smaller  features  of  discomfort,  and  omit  the  more  glaring 
ones  ?  The  utter  selfishness  which  blue  water  suggests,  as 
inevitably  as  the  cold  fit  follows  the  ague  ;  the  good  fellow 
that  shares  his  knapsack  or  his  last  guinea  on  land,  here 
forages  out  the  best  corner  to  hang  his  hammock  ;  jockeys 
you  into  a  comfortless  crib,  where  the  uncaulked  deck-butt 
filters  every  rain  from  heaven  on  your  head  ;  he  votes  you 
the  corner  at  dinner,  not  only  that  he  may  place  you  with 
your  back  to  the  thorough  draught  of  the  gangway  ladder, 
but  that  he  may  eat,  drink,  and  lie  down,  before  you  have 
even  begun  to  feel  the  qualmishness  that  the  dinner  of  a 
troop-ship  is  well  calculated  to  suggest ;  cuts  his  pencil 
with  your  best  razor ;  wears  your  shirts,  as  washing  is 
scarce  ;  and  winds  up  all  by  having  a  good  story  of  you 
every  evening  for  the  edification  of  the  other  "  sharp  gen- 
tlemen," who,  being  too  wide  awake  to  be  humbugged 


THE   VOYAGE.  237 

themselves,  enjoy  his  success  prodigiously.  This,  gentle 
reader,  is  neither  confession  nor  avowal  of  mine.  The 
passage  I  have  here  presented  to  yon  I  have  taken  from 
the  journal  of  my  brother  officer,  Mr.  Sparks,  who,  when 
not  otherwise  occupied,  usually  employed  his  time  in  com- 
mitting to  paper  his  thoughts  upon  men,  manners,  and 
things  at  sea  in  general ;  though,  sooth  to  say,  his  was  not 
an  idle  life  ;  being  voted  by  unanimous  consent  "a  junior," 
he  was  condemned  to  offices  that  the  veriest  fag  in  Eton 
or  Harrow  had  rebelled  against.  In  the  morning,  under 
the  pseudonym  of  Mrs.  Sparks,  he  presided  at  breakfast, 
having  previously  made  tea,  coffee,  and  chocolate  for  the 
whole  cabin,  besides  boiling  about  twenty  eggs  at  various 
degrees  of  hardness ;  he  was  under  heavy  recognizances  to 
provide  a  plate  of  buttered  toasi  of  very  alarming  magni- 
tnde,  fried  ham,  kidneys,  &c.,  to  no  end.  Later  on,  when 
others  sauntered  about  the  deck,  vainly  endeavouring  to 
fix  their  attention  upon  a  novel  or  a  review,  the  poor 
Cornet  might  be  seen  with  a  white  apron  tucked  gracefully 
round  his  spare  proportions,  whipping  eggs  for  pancakes, 
or  with  up-turned  shirt  sleeves  fashioning  dough  for  a 
pudding.  As  the  day  waned,  the  cook's  galley  became  his 
haunt,  where,  exposed  to  a  roasting  fire,  he  inspected  the 
details  of  a  cuisine,  for  which,  whatever  his  demerits,  he 
was  sure  of  an  ample  remuneration  in  abuse  at  dinner. 
Then  came  the  dinner  itself,  that  dread  ordeal,  where  no- 
thing was  praised,  and  everything  censured.  This  was 
followed  by  the  punch-making,  where  the  tastes  of  six 
different  and  differing  individuals  were  to  be  exclusively 
consulted  in  the  self-same  beverage;  and  lastly,  the  supper 
at  night,  when  Sparkie,  as  he  was  familiarly  called, 
towards  evening,  grown  quite  exhausted,  became  the 
subject  of  unmitigated  wrath  and  most  unmeasured  repro- 
bation. 

"  I  say,  Sparks,  it's  getting  late ;  the  spatch-cock,  old 
boy  ;  don't  be  slumbering.* 

*'  By  the  bye,  Sparkie,  what  a  mess  you  made  of  that 
pea-soup  to-day  !  By  Jove !  I  never  felt  so  ill  in  my 
life." 

"  Na,  na,  it  was  na  the  soup ;  it  was  something  he  pit  in 
the  punch,  fhat's  burning  me  ever  since  I  tuk  it.  Ou,  man, 
but  ye're  an  awfu'  creture  wi'  vittals." 


238  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

"  He'll  improve,  Doctor,  he'll  improve  ;  don't  discourage 
him  ;  the  boy's  young ;  be  alive  now,  there  ;  where's  the 
toast — confound  you — where's  the  toast  ?  " 

"  There,  Sparks,  you  like  a  drumstick,  I  know — mustn't 
muzzle  the  ox,  eh  ?  Scripture  for  you,  old  boy ;  eat 
away  ;  hang  the  expense :  hand  him  over  the  jug — empty 
• — eh,  Charley  ?  Come,  Sparkie,  bear  a  hand,  the  liquor's 
out." 

"  But  won't  you  let  me  eat  ?  " 

"  Eat!  heavens,  what  a  fellow  for  eating!  By  George, 
such  an  appetite  is  clean  against  the  articles  of  war !  Come, 
man,  it's  drink  we're  thinking  of;  there's  the  rum,  sugar, 
limes;  see  to  the  hot  water.  Well,  Skipper,  how  are  we 
getting  on  ?  " 

"  Lying  our  course ;  eight  knots  off  the  log ;  pass  the 
rum.  Why,  Mister  Sparks  ?  " 

"  Eh,  Sparks,  what's  this  ?  " 

"  Sparks,  my  man,  confound  it."  And  then,  omnes 
chorussing,  "  Sparks ! "  in  every  key  of  the  gamut,  the 
luckless  fellow  would  be  obliged  to  jump  up  from  his 
meagre  fare,  and  set  to  work  at  a  fresh  brewage  of  punch 
for  the  others.  The  bowl  and  the  glasses  filled,  by  some 
little  management  on  Power's  part,  our  friend  the  Cornet 
would  be  drawn  out,  as  the  phrase  is,  into  some  confession 
of  his  early  years,  which  seemed  to  have  been  exclusively 
spent  in  love-making — devotion  to  the  fair  being  as  integral 
a  portion  of  his  character  as  tippling  was  of  the  worthy 
Major's. 

Like  most  men  who  pass  their  lives  in  over-studious 
efforts  to  please — however  ungallant  the  confession  be— the 
amiable  Sp;irks  had  had  little  success  ;  his  love,  if  not,  as 
it  generally  happened,  totally  unrequited,  was  invariably 
the  source  of  some  awkward  catastrophe,  there  being  no 
imaginable  error  he  had  not,  at  some  time  or  other,  fallen 
into,  nor  any  conceivable  mischance  to  which  he  had  not 
been  exposed.  Inconsolable  widows,  attached  wives,  fond 
mothers,  newly-married  brides,  engaged  young  ladies, 
were,  by  some  contretemps,  continually  the  subject  of  his 
attachments ;  and  the  least  mishap  which  followed  the 
avowal  of  his  passion  was  to  be  heartily  laughed  at,  and 
obliged  to  leave  the  neighbourhood.  Duels,  apologies, 
actions  at  law,  compensations,  &c.,  were  of  every-day 


239 

occurrence ;  and  to  such  an  extent,  too,  that  any  man 
blessed  with  a  smaller  bump  upon  the  occiput,  would 
eventually  have  long  since  abandoned  the  pursuit,  and 
taken  to  some  less  expensive  pleasure ;  but  poor  Sparks,  in 
the  true  spirit  of  a  martyr,  only  gloried  the  more,  the  more 
he  suffered ;  and,  like  the  worthy  man  who  continued  to 
purchase  tickets  in  the  lottery  for  thirty  years,  with  nothing 
but  a  succession  of  blanks,  he  ever  imagined  that  fortune 
was  only  trying  his  patience,  and  had  some  cool  forty 
thousand  pounds  of  happiness  waiting  his  perseverance  in 
the  end.  Whether  this  prize  ever  did  turn  up  in  the  course 
of  years,  I  am  unable  to  say ;  but,  certainly,  up  to  the 
period  of  his  history  I  now  speak  of,  all  had  been  as  gloomy 
and  unrequiting  as  need  be.  Power,  who  knew  something 
of  every  man's  adventures,  was  aware  of  so  much  of  poor 
Sparks's  career,  and  usually  contrived  to  lay  a  trap  for  a 
confession  that  generally  served  to  amuse  us  during  an 
evening,  as  much,  I  acknowledge,  from  the  manner  of  the 
recital,  as  anything  contained  in  the  story.  There  was  a 
species  of  serious  matter-of-fact  simplicity  in  his  detail  of 
the  most  ridiculous  scenes  that  left  you  convinced  that  his 
bearing  upon  the  affair  in  question  must  have  greatly 
heightened  the  absurdity  ;  nothing,  however  comic  or  droll 
in  itself,  ever  exciting  in  him  the  least  approach  to  a  smile. 
He  sat  with  his  large  light-blue  eyes,  light  hair,  long  upper 
lip,  and  retreating  chin,  lisping  out  an  account  of  an 
adventure,  with  a  look  of  Liston  about  him  that  was  in- 
conceivably amusing. 

"  Come,  Sparks,"  said  Power,  "  I  claim  a  promise  you 
made  me  the  other  night,  on  condition  we  let  you  off 
making  the  oyster-patties  at  ten  o'clock  ;  you  can't  forget 
what  I  mean."  Here  the  Captain  knowingly  touched  the 
tip  of  his  ear,  at  which  signal  the  Cornet  coloured  slightly, 
and  drank  off  his  wine  in  a  hurried,  confused  way.  "  He 
promised  to  tell  us,  Major,  how  he  lost  the  tip  of  his  left 
ear.  I  have  myself  heard  hints  of  the  circumstance,  but 
would  much  rather  hear  Sparks's  own  version  of  it." 

"  Another  love  story,"  said  the  Doctor,  with  a  grin,  "  I'll 
be  bound." 

"  Shot  off  in  a  duel  ?  "  said  I,  inquiringly  ;  **  close  work, 
too." 

"No  such   thing,"   replied    Power;  "but   Sparks   will 


210  CHAELES  O'MALLEY. 

enlighten  you.  It  is,  without  exception,  the  most  touching 
and  beautiful  thing  I  ever  heard ;  as  a  simple  story,  it  beats 
the  '  Vicar  of  Wakefield '  to  sticks." 

"  You  don't  say  so  ?  "  said  poor  Sparks,  blushing. 

"  Ay,  that  I  do,  and  maintain  it  too.  I'd  rather  be  the 
hero  of  that  little  adventure,  and  be  able  to  recount  it  as 
you  do — for,  mark  me,  that's  no  small  part  of  the  effect — 
than  I'd  be  full  colonel  of  the  regiment.  Well,  I  am  sure 
I  always  thought  it  affecting ;  but,  somehow,  my  dear 
friend,  you  don't  know  your  powers  ;  you  have  that  within 
you  would  make  the  fortune  of  half  the  periodicals  going. 
Ask  Monsoon  or  O'Malley  there  if  I  did  not  say  so  at 
breakfast,  when  you  were  grilling  the  old  hen — which,  by 
the  bye,  let  me  remark,  was  not  one  of  your  chefs-d'oeuvre." 

"  A  tougher  beastie  I  never  put  a  tooth  in." 

"  But  the  story  ;  the  story,"  said  I. 

"  Yes,"  said  Power,  with  a  tone  of  command,  "  the  story, 
Sparks." 

"  Well,  if  you  really  think  it  worth  telling,  as  I  have 
always  felt  it  a  very  remarkable  incident,  here  goes." 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 

MB.    SPARKS'S   STORT. 

**  I  SAT  at  breakfast  one  beautiful  morning  at  the  Goat  Inn 
at  Barmouth,  looking  out  of  a  window  upon  the  lovely 
vale  of  Barmouth,  with  its  tall  trees  and  brown  trout- 
Btream  struggling  through  the  woods,  then  turning  to  take 
a  view  of  the  calm  sea,  that,  speckled  over  with  white- 
sailed  fishing-boats,  stretched  away  in  the  distance.  The 
eggs  were  fresh ;  the  trout  newly  caught ;  the  cream  de- 
licious ;  before  me  lay  the  Plwdwddhon  Advertiser,  which, 
among  the  fashionable  arrivals  at  the  sea-side,  set  forth 
Mr.  Sparks,  nephew  of  Sir  Toby  Sparks,  of  Manchester, 
— a  paragraph,  by  the  way,  I  always  inserted.  The  Eng- 
lish are  naturally  an  aristocratic  people,  and  set  a  due 
value  upon  a  title." 

*'  A  very  just  observation,"  remarked  Power,  seriously, 
while  Sparks  continued. 

"  However,  as  far  as  any  result  from  the  announcement, 
I  might  as  well  have  spared  myself  the  trouble,  for  not  a 
single  person  called  ;  not  one  solitary  invitation  to  dinner , 
not  a  picnic ;  not  a  breakfast ;  no,  nor  even  a  tea-party 
was  heard  of.  Barmouth,  at  the  time  I  speak  of,  was  just 
in  that  transition  state  at  which  the  caterpillar  may  be 
imagined,  when,  having  abandoned  his  reptile  habits,  he 
still  has  not  succeeded  in  becoming  a  butterfly.  In  fact,  it 
had  ceased  to  be  a  fishing- village,  but  had  not  arrived  at 
the  dignity  of  a  watering-place.  Now,  I  know  nothing  as 
bad  as  this.  You  have  not,  on  one  hand,  the  quiet  retire- 
ment of  a  little  peaceful  hamlet,  with  its  humble  dwellings 
and  cheap  pleasures,  nor  have  you  the  gay  and  animated 
tableau  of  fashion  in  miniature  on  the  other ;  but  you  have 
noise,  din,  bustle,  confusion,  beautiful  scenery,  and  lovely 
points  of  view,  marred  and  ruined  by  vulgar  associations. 
Every  bold  rock  and  jutting  promontory  has  its  citizen 
occupants ;  every  sandy  cove  or  tide-washed  bay  has  its 


242  CHARLES    O'MALLEY. 

myriads  of  squalling  babes  and  red  baize-clad  bathing- 
women  ;  those  veritable  descendants  of  the  nymphs  of 
old.  Pink  parasols,  donkey-carts,  baskets  of  bread-and- 
butter,  reticules,  guides  to  Barmouth,  specimens  ot  ore, 
fragments  of  gypsum,  meet  you  at  every  step,  and  destroy 
every  illusion  of  the  picturesque. 

"  '  I  shall  leave  this,'  thought  I.  'My  dreams,  my  long- 
cherished  dreams  of  romantic  walks  upon  the  sea-shore,  of 
evening  strolls  by  moonlight,  through  dell  and  dingle,  are 
reduced  to  a  short  promenade  through  an  alley  of  bathing- 
boxes,  amid  a  screaming  population  of  nursery-maids  and 
sick  children,  with  a  thorough-bass  of  "  Fresh  Shrimps ! " 
discordant  enough  to  frighten  the  very  fish  from  the  shores. 
There  is  no  peace,  no  quiet,  no  romance,  no  poetry,  no 
love.'  Alas  !  that  most  of  all  was  wanting  ;  for,  after  all, 
what  is  it  which  lights  up  the  heart,  save  the  flame  of  a 
mutual  attachment  ?  what  gilds  the  fair  stream  of  life, 
save  the  bright  ray  of  warm  affection  ?  what " 

"  In  a  word,"  said  Power,  "  it  is  the  sugar  in  the  punch- 
bowl of  our  existence.  Ferge,  Sparks ;  push  on." 

"  I  was  not  long  in  making  up  my  mind.  I  called  for 
my  bill ;  I  packed  my  clothes  ;  I  ordered  post-horses ;  I 
was  ready  to  start ;  one  item  in  the  bill  alone  detained  me. 
The  frequent  occurrence  of  the  enigmatical  word  '  crw  ' 
following  my  servant's  name,  demanded  an  explanation, 
which  I  was  in  the  act  of  receiving,  when  a  chaise-and-four 
drove  rapidly  up  to  the  house.  In  a  moment  the  blinds 
were  drawn  up,  and  such  a  head  appeared  at  the  window ! 
Let  me  pause  for  one  moment  to  drink  in  the  remembrance 
of  that  lovely  being  ;  eyes,  where  heaven's  own  blue 
peemed  concentrated,  were  shaded  by  long,  deep  lashes  of  the 
darkest  brown  ;  a  brow  fair,  noble,  and  expansive,  at  each 
side  of  which  masses  of  dark-brown  hair  waved  half  in 
ringlets,  half  in  loose  falling  bands,  shadowing  her  pale  and 
downy  cheek,  where  one  faint  rosebud  tinge  seemed  linger- 
ing ;  lips  slightly  parted,  as,  though  to  speak,  gave  to  the 
features  all  the  play  of  animation  which  completed  this 
intellectual  character,  and  made  up " 

"  What  I  shoald  say  was  a  devilish  pretty  girl,"  inter- 
rupted Power. 

"  Back  the  widow  against  her  at  long  odds,  any  day," 
murmured  the  Adjutant. 


ME.    SPAKKS'S    STORY.  243 

"  She  was  an  angel !  an  angel !  "  cried  Sparks,  with 
cut  imsiasm. 

'•  So  was  the  widow,  if  you  go  to  that,"  said  the  Adju- 
t:uit,  hastily. 

"  And  so  is  Matilda  Dalryraple,"  said  Power,  with  a  sly 
look  at  me.  "  We  are  all  honourable  men — eh,  Charley  ?  " 

•'Go  ahead  with  the  story,"  said  the  Skipper;  "I'm 
beginning  to  feel  an  interest  in  it." 

' '  Isabella,'  said  a  man's  voice,  as  a  large,  well-dressed 
personage  assisted  her  to  alight — *  Isabella,  love,  you  must 
lake  a  little  rest  here  before  we  proceed  farther.' 

"  '  I  think  she  had  better,  sir,'  said  a  matronly-looking 
woman,  with  a  plaid  cloak  and  a  black  bonnet. 

"  They  disappeared  within  the  house,  and  I  was  left 
alone.  The  bright  dream  was  past ;  she  was  there  no 
longer ;  but  in  my  heart  her  image  lived,  and  I  almost  felt 
she  was  before  me.  I  thought  I  heard  her  voice ;  I  saw 
her  move ;  my  limbs  trembled ;  my  hands  tingled  ;  I  rang 
the  bell,  ordered  my  trunks  back  again  to  No.  5,  and,  as  I 
sank  upon  the  sofa,  murmured  to  myself,  '  This  is  indeed 
love  at  first  sight.'  " 

"  How  devilish  sudden  it  was,"  said  the  Skipper. 

"  Exactly  like  camp  fever,"  responded  the  Doctor.  "  One 
moment  ye  are  vara  well ;  the  next  ye  are  seized  wi'  a 
kind  of  shivering  ;  then  comes  a  kind  of  mandering,  dan- 
dering,  travelling  a'overness." 

"D —  the  camp  fever,"  interrupted  Power. 

"  Well,  as  1  observed,  I  fell  in  love ;  and  here  let  me 
take  the  opportunity  of  observing  that  all  that  we  are  in 
the  habit  of  hearing  about  single  or  only  attachments  is 
mere  nonsense.  No  man  is  so  capable  of  feeling  deeply 
as  he  who  is  in  the  daily  practice  of  it.  Love,  like  every- 
thing else  in  this  world,  demands  a  species  of  cultivation. 
The  mere  tyro  in  an  affair  of  the  heart  thinks  he  has  ex- 
hausted all  its  pleasures  and  pains ;  but  only  he  who  has 
made  it  his  daily  study  for  years,  familiarizing  his  mind 
with  every  phase  of  the  passion,  can  properly  or  ade- 
quately appreciate  it  Thus,  the  more  you  love,  the  better 
you  love  ;  the  more  frequently  has  your  heart  yielded " 

*'  It's  vara  like  the  mucous  membrane,"  said  the  Doctor. 

"  I'll  break  your  neck  with  the  decanter  if  you  interrupt 
him  again  ! "  exclaimed  Power. 


244  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

"  For  days  I  scarcely  ever  left  the  house,"  resumed 
Sparks,  "  watching  to  catch  one  glance  of  the  lovely 
Isabella.  My  farthest  excursion  was  to  the  little  garden 
of  the  inn,  where  I  used  to  •  ,et  every  imaginable  species 
of  snare,  in  the  event  of  her  venturing  to  walk  there. 
One  day  I  would  leave  a  volume  of  poetry  ;  another  a 
copy  of  Paul  and  Virginia  with  a  marked  page ;  some- 
times my  guitar,  with  a  broad,  blue  ribbon,  would  hang 
pensively  from  a  tree  ;  but,  alas !  all  in  vain  ;  she  never 
appeared.  At  length,  I  took  counige  to  ask  the  waiter 
about  her.  For  some  minutes  he  could  not  comprehend 
what  I  meant ;  but,  at  last,  discovering  my  object,  he 
cried  out,  '  Oh  !  No.  8,  sir ;  it  is  No.  8  you  mean.' 

"  *  It  may  be,'  said  I.     «  What  of  her,  then  ?' 

"  '  Oh.  sir,  she's  gone  these  three  days.' 

"  *  Gone  ! '  !»aid  1,  with  a  groan. 

"  *  Yes,  sir ;  she  left  this  early  on  Tuesday  with  the 
same  old  gentleman  and  the  old  woman  in  a  chaise- 
and-four.  They  ordered  horses  at  Dolgelly  to  meet 
them  ;  but  I  don't  know  which  road  they  took  after- 
wards.' 

"  I  fell  back  on  my  chair  unable  to  speak.  Here  was  I 
enacting  Romeo  for  three  mortal  days  to  a  mere  company 
of  Welsh  waiters  and  chamber-maids,  sighing,  serenading, 
reciting,  attitudinizing,  rose-plucking,  soliloquizing,  half» 
suiciding,  and  all  for  the  edification  of  a  set  of  savages, 
with  about  as  much  civilization  as  their  own  goats. 

"  '  The  bill,'  cried  I,  in  a  voice  of  thunder ;  '  my  bill 
this  instant.' 

"  1  had  been  imposed  upon  shamefully ;  grossly  imposed 
upon,  and  would  not  remain  another  hour  in  the  house. 
Such  were  my  feelings  at  least,  and  so  thinking,  1  sent 
for  my  servant,  abused  him  for  not  having  my  clothes 
ready  packed ;  he  replied ;  I  reiterated  ;  and,  as  my 
temper  mounted,  vented  eveiy  imaginable  epithet  upon 
his  head,  and  concluded  by  paying  him  his  wages  and 
sending  him  about  his  business.  In  one  hour  more  I  was 
upon  the  road. 

"  '  What  road,  sir?'  said  the  postilion,  as  he  mounted 
into  the  saddle. 

"  '  To  the  devil,  if  you  please,'  said  I,  throwing  myself 
back  in  the  carriage. 


MB.    SPARKS's   8TORT.  245 

"  '  Very  well,  sir,'  replied  the  boy,  putting  spurs  to  his 
horse. 

"  That  evening  I  arrived  in  Bedgellert. 

"  The  little  humble  inn  of  Bedgellert,  with  its  thatched 
roof  and  earthen  floor,  was  a  most  welcome  sight  to  me, 
after  eleven  hours'  travelling  on  a  broiling  July  day. 
Behind  the  very  house  itself  rose  the  mighty  Snowdon, 
towering  high  above  the  other  mountains  whose  lofty 
peaks  were  lost  amid  the  clouds;  before  me  was  the 
narrow  valley " 

"  Wake  me  up  when  he's  under  weigh  again,"  said  the 
Skipper,  yawning  fearfully. 

"Go  on,  Sparks,"  said  Power,  encouragingly;  "I  was 
never  more  interested  in  my  life  ;  eh,  O'Malley  ?" 

"  Quite  thrilling,"  responded  I,  and  Sparks  resumed. 

"Three  weeks  did  1  loiter  about  that  sweet  spot,  my 
mind  filled  with  images  of  the  past  and  dreams  of  the 
future,  my  fishing-rod  my  only  companion ;  not,  indeed, 
that  I  ever  caught  anything ;  for,  somehow,  my  tackle 
was  always  getting  foul  of  some  willow-tree  or  water-lily, 
and,  at  last,  I  gave  up  even  the  pretence  of  whipping-  the 
streams.  Well,  one  day — I  remember  it  as  well  as  though 
it  were  but  yesterdny — it  was  the  4th  of  August; — I  had 
set  off  upon  an  excursion  to  Llr.nberris.  I  had  crossed 
Snowdon  early,  and  reached  the  little  Jake  on  the  opposite 
side  by  breakfast  time.  There  I  sat  down  near  the  ruined 
tower  of  Dolbadern,  and,  opening  my  knapsack,  made  a 
hearty  meal.  I  have  ever  been  a  day-dreamer  ;  and  there 
are  few  things  I  like  better  than  to  lie,  upon  some  hot  and 
sunny  day,  in  the  tall  grass  beneath  the  shnde  of  some 
deep  boughs,  with  running  water  murmuring  near,  heaving 
the  summer  bee  buzzing  monotonously,  and  in  the  distance, 
the  clear,  sharp  tingle  of  the  sheep-bell.  In  such  a  place, 
at  such  a  time,  one's  fancy  strays  playfully,  like  somo 
happy  child,  and  none  but  pleasant  thoughts  present  them- 
selves. Fatigued  by  my  long  walk,  and  overcome  by  heat, 
I  fell  asleep.  How  long  I  lay  there  I  cannot  tell,  but  the 
deep  shadows  were  half-way  down  the  tall  mountain  when 
I  awoke.  A  sound  had  startled  me  ;  I  thought  I  heard  a 
voice  speaking  close  to  me.  I  looked  up,  and  for  some 
seconds  I  could  not  believe  that  I  was  not  dreaming. 
Beside  me,  within  a  few  paces,  stood  Isabella,  the  beautiful 


246  CHAIILES  O'MALLEY. 

vision  that  I  had  seen  at  Barmouth,  but  far,  a  thousand 
times,  more  beautiful.  She  was  dressed  in  something 
like  a  peasant's  dress,  and  wore  the  round  hat  which,  in 
Wales  at  least,  seems  to  suit  the  character  of  the  female 
face  so  well ;  her  long  and  waving  ringlets  fell  carelessly 
upon  her  shoulders,  and  her  cheek  flushed  from  walking. 
Before  I  had  a  moment's  notice  to  recover  my  roving 
thought,  she  spoke:  her  voice  was  full  and  round,  but 
soft  and  thrilling,  as  she  said, — 

" '  I  beg  pardon,  sir,  for  having  disturbed  you  uncon- 
sciously ;  but,  having  done  so,  may  I  request  you  will 
assist  me  to  fill  this  pitcher  with  water  ? ' 

"  She  pointed  at  the  same  time  to  a  small  stream  which 
trickled  down  a  fissure  in  the  rock,  and  formed  a  little 
well  of  clear  water  beneath.  I  bowed  deeply,  and  mur- 
muring something — I  know  not  what — took  the  pitcher 
from  her  hand,  and  scaling  the  rocky  cliff,  mounted  to 
the  clear  source  above,  where,  having  filled  the  vessel,  I 
descended.  When  I  reached  the  ground  beneath,  I  dis- 
covered that  she  was  joined  by  another  person,  whom,  in 
an  instant,  I  recognized  to  be  the  old  gentleman  I  had 
seen  with  her  at  Barmouth,  and  who  in  the  most  courteous 
manner  apologized  for  the  trouble  I  had  been  caused,  and 
informed  me  that  a  party  of  his  friends  were  enjoying 
a  little  picnic  quite  near,  and  invited  me  to  make  one  of 
them. 

"  I  need  not  say  that  I  accepted  the  invitation,  nor  that 
with  delight  I  seized  the  opportunity  of  forming  an  ac- 
quaintance with  Isabella,  who,  I  must  confess,  upon  her 
part,  showed  no  disinclination  to  the  prospect  of  my 
joining  the  party. 

"  After  a  few  minutes'  walking,  we  came  to  a  small 
rocky  point  which  projected  for  some  distance  into  the 
lake,  and  offered  a  view  for  several  miles  of  the  vale  of 
Llanberris.  Upon  this  lovely  spot  we  found  the  party 
assembled ;  they  consisted  of  about  fourteen  or  fifteen 
persons,  all  busily  engaged  in  the  arrangement  of  a  very 
excellent  cold  dinner,  each  individual  having  some  peculiar 
province  allotted  to  him  or  her,  to  be  performed  by  their 
own  hands.  Thus,  one  elderly  gentleman  was  whipping 
cream  under  a  chestnut-tree,  while  a  very  fashionably- 
dressed  young  man  was  washing  radishes  in  the  lake; 


MB.    SPARKS'S    STOEY.  247 

an  old  lady  with  spectacles  was  frying  salmon  over  a 
wood  tire,  opposite  to  a  short,  pursy  man  with  a  bald 
head  and  drab  shorts,  deep  in  the  mystery  of  a  chicken 
salad,  from  which  he  never  lifted  his  eyes,  when  I  came 
up.  It  was  thus  I  found  how  the  fair  Isabella's  lot  had 
been  cast,  as  a  drawer  of  water ;  she,  with  the  others, 
contributing  her  share  of  exertion  for  the  common  good. 
The  old  gentleman  who  accompanied  her  seemed  the  only 
unoccupied  person,  and  appeared  to  be  regarded  as  the 
ruler  of  the  feast ;  at  least,  they  all  called  him  General, 
and  implicitly  followed  every  suggestion  he  threw  out.  He 
was  a  man  of  a  certain  grave  and  quiet  manner,  blended 
with  a  degree  of  mild  good-nature  and  courtesy,  that 
struck  me  much  at  first,  and  gained  greatly  on  me,  even 
in  the  few  minutes  I  conversed  with  him  as  we  came 
along.  Just  before  he  presented  me  to  his  friends,  he 
gently  touched  my  arm,  and,  drawing  me  aside,  whispered 
in  my  ear, — 

"  '  Don't  be  surprised  at  anything  you  may  hear  to-day 
here  ;  for  I  must  inform  you  this  is  a  kind  of  club,  as  I 
may  call  it,  where  every  one  assumes  a  certain  character, 
and  is  bound  to  sustain  it  under  a  penalty.  We  have 
these  little  meetings  every  now  and  then  ;  and,  as  strangers 
are  never  present,  I  feel  some  explanation  necessary,  that 
you  may  be  able  to  enjoy  the  thing ; — you  understand  ? ' 

"  '  Oh,  perfectly/  said  I,  overjoyed  at  the  novelty  of  the 
Bcene,  and  anticipating  much  pleasure  from  my  chance 
meeting  with  such  very  original  characters. 

"  '  Mr.  Sparks,  Mrs.  Winterbottom.  Allow  me  to  present 
Mr.  Sparks  ? ' 

" '  Any  news  from  Batavia,  young  gentleman  ? '  said  the 
sallow  old  lady  addressed.  '  How  is  coffee  !  ' 

"  The  General  passed  on,  introducing  me  rapidly  as  he 
t\  eut. 

"  '  Mr.  Doolittle,  Mr.  Sparks.' 

"  '  Ah,  how  do  you  do,  old  boy  ?  '  said  Mr.  Doolittle ; 
'  sit  down  beside  me.  We  have  forty  thousand  acres  of 
pickled  cabbage  spoiling  for  want  of  a  little  vinegar.' 

"  '  Fie,  fie,  Mr.  Dooiittie,'  said  tne  General,  and  passed 
on  to  another. 

'"Mr.  Sparks,  Captain  Crosstree.' 

" '  Ah,   Sparks,   Sparks !   son   of  old   Blazes !   ha,   ha, 


248  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

ha  ! '  and  the  Captain  fell  back  into  an  immoderate  fit  of 
laughter. 

" '  Le  Hoi  est  servi,'  said  the  thin,  meagre  figure  in 
nankeens,  bowing,  cap  in  hand,  before  the  General ;  and, 
accordingly,  we  all  assumed  our  places  upon  the  grass. 

"  '  Say  it  again !  say  it  again  !  and  I'll  plunge  this 
dagger  in  your  heart !  '  said  a  hollow  voice,  tremulous 
with  agitation  and  rage,  close  beside  me.  I  turned  my 
head,  and  saw  an  old  gentleman,  with  a  wart  on  his 
nose,  sitting  opposite  a  meat  pie,  which  he  was  con- 
templating with  a  look  of  fiery  indignation.  Befoi'e  I 
could  witness  the  sequel  of  the  scene,  I  felt  a  soft  hand 
pressed  upon  mine.  I  turned.  It  was  Isabella  herself, 
who,  looking  at  me  with  an  expression  I  shall  never  forget, 
Baid, — 

"  '  Don't  mind  poor  Faddy ;  he  never  hurts  any  one.' 
"  Meanwhile  the  business  of  dinner  went  on  rapidly. 
The  servants,  of  whom  enormous  numbers  were  now 
present,  ran  hither  and  thither  ;  and  duck,  ham,  pigeon- 
pie,  cold  veal,  apple  tarts,  cheese,  pickled  salmon,  melon 
and  rii-e  pudding,  flourished  on  every  side.  As  for  me, 
whatever  I  might  have  gleaned  from  the  conversation 
ai'ouud,  under  other  circumstances,  I  was  too  much  occu- 
pied with  Isabella  to  think  of  any  one  else  My  suit — 
for  such  it  was — progressed  rapidly.  There  was  evidently 
soinet.hing  favourable  in  the  circumstances  we  last  met 
under  ;  for  her  manner  had  all  the  warmth  and  cordiality 
of  old  friendship.  It  is  true  that,  more  than  once,  I  caught 
the  General's  eye  fixed  upon  us,  with  anything  but  an  ex- 
pression of  pleasure,  and  I  thought  that  Isabella  blushed 
and  seemed  confused  also.  '  What  care  I  ?  '  however  was 
my  reflection  ;  '  my  views  are  honourable ;  and  the  nephew 

and  heir  of  Sir  Toby  Sparks '     Just  in  the  very  act  of 

making  this  reflection,  the  old  man  in  the  shorts  hit  me 
in  the  eye  with  a  roasted  apple,  calling  out  at  the 
moment, — 

"  '  When  did  you  join,  thou  child  of  the  pale  faces  ?  ' 
"  '  Mr.  Murdocks ! '    cried  the   General,    in    a    voice  of 
thunder,  and  the  little  man  hung  down  his  head,  and  spoke 
not. 

"  '  A  word  with  you,  young  gentleman,'  said  a  fat  old 
lady,  pinching  my  arm  above  the  elbow. 


MR.    SPARKS'S    STORY.  249 

"  '  Never  mind  her,1  said  Isabella,  smiling  !  '  poor  dear 
old  Dorkin,  she  thinks  she's  an  hour-glass.  How  droll, 
isn't  it  ?  ' 

"  '  Young  man,  have  you  any  feelings  of  humanity  ? ' 
inquired  the  old  lady,  with  tears  in  her  eyes  as  she  spoke  ; 
'  will  you — dare  you  assist  a  fellow- creature  under  my  sad 
circumstances  ?  ' 

"  '  What  can  I  do  for  you,  madam  ? '  said  I,  really  feeling 
for  her  distress. 

"  '  Just,  like  a  good  dear  soul,  just  turn  me  np,  for  I'm 
nearly  run  out.' 

"  Isabella  burst  out  a  laughing  at  the  strange  request — 
an  excess  which,  I  confess,  I  was  unable  myself  to  repress ; 
upon  which  the  old  lady,  putting  on  a  frown  of  the  most 
ominous  blackness,  said, — 

"  '  You  may  laugh,  madam  ;  but  first,  before  you  ridicule 
the  misfortunes  of  others,  ask  yourself  are  you,  too,  free 
from  infirmity  ?  When  did  you  see  the  ace  of  spades, 
madam  ?  answer  me  that.' 

"  Isabella  became  suddenly  pale  as  death,  her  very  lips 
blanched,  and  her  voice,  almost  inaudible,  muttered, — 

"  '  Am  I,  then,  deceived  ?  Is  not  this  he  ?  '  So  saying, 
she  placed  her  hand  upon  my  shoulder. 

"  '  That  the  ace  of  spades  ! '  exclaimed  the  old  lady,  with 
a  sneer — '  that  the  ace  of  spades ! ' 

"  *  Are  you,  or  are  you  not,  sir  ?  '  said  Isabella,  fixing  her 
deep  and  languid  eyes  upon  me.  '  Answer,  as  you  are 
honest ;  are  you  the  ace  of  spades  ?  ' 

"  '  He  is  the  King  of  Tuscarora.  Look  at  his  war- 
paint ! '  cried  an  elderly  gentleman,  putting  a  streak  of 
mustard  across  my  nose  and  cheek. 

"  '  Then  am  I  deceived,'  said  Isabella.  And,  flying  at 
me,  she  plucked  a  handful  of  hair  out  of  my  whiskers. 

"  '  Cuckoo,  cuckoo  ! '  shouted  one  ;  '  Bow,  wow,  wow  ! ' 
roared  another  ;  '  Phiz  !  '  went  a  third  ;  and,  in  an  instant, 
such  a  scene  of  commotion  and  riot  ensued !  Plates, 
dishes,  knives,  forks,  and  decanters  flew  right  and  left ; 
every  one  pitched  into  his  neighbour  with  the  most  fearful 
cries,  and  hell  itself  seemed  broke  loose.  The  hour-glass 
and  the  Moulah  of  Oude  had  got  mo  down,  and  were 
pommeling  me  to  death,  when  a  short,  thickset  man  came 
on  all  fours  slap  down  upon  them,  shouting  out,  'Way, 


250  CHARLES    O'MALLEY. 

make  way  for  the  royal  Bengal  tiger  !'  at  which  they  both 
fled  like  lightning,  leaving  me  to  the  encounter  single- 
handed.  Fortunately,  however,  this  was  not  of  very  long 
duration,  for  some  well-disposed  Christians  pulled  him  from 
off  me  ;  not,  however,  before  he  had  seized  ine  in  his  grasp, 
and  bitten  off  a  portion  of  my  right  ear,  leaving  me,  as  you 
see,  thus  mutilated  for  the  rest  of  my  days." 

"  What  an  extraordinary  club  ! "  broke  in  the  Doctor. 

"  Clnb !  sir,  club !  it  was  a  lunatic  asylum.  The  General 
was  no  other  than  the  famous  Doctor  Andrew  Moorville, 
that  had  the  great  madhouse  at  Bangor,  and  who  was  in 
the  habit  of  giving  his  patients  every  now  and  then  a  kind 
of  country  party;  it  being  one  remarkable  feature  of  their 
malady  that,  when  one  takes  to  his  peculiar  flight,  what- 
ever it  be,  the  others  immediately  take  the  hint,  and 
go  off  at  score.  Hence  my  agreeable  adventure  ;  the 
Bengal  tiger  being  a  Liverpool  merchant,  and  the  most 
vivacious  madman  in  England  ;  while  the  hour-glass  and 
the  Moulah  were  both  on  an  experimental  tour  to  see 
whether  they  should  not  be  pronounced  totally  incurable 
for  life." 

"And  Isabella?"  inquired  Power. 

"Ah!  poor  Isabella  had  been  driven  mad  by  a  card- 
playing  aunt  at  Bath,  and  was,  in  fact,  the  most  hopeless 
case  there.  The  last  words  I  heard  her  speak  confirmed 
my  mournful  impression  of  her  case  : — 

"  '  Yes,'  said  she,  as  they  removed  her  to  her  carriage, 
'  I  must,  indeed,  have  but  weak  intellects,  when  I  could 
have  taken  the  nephew  of  a  Manchester  cotton-spinner, 
with  a  face  like  a  printed  calico,  for  a  trump  card,  and  the 
best  in  the  pack ! '  ' 

Poor  Sparks  uttered  these  last  words  with  a  faltering 
accent,  and,  finishing  his  glass  at  one  draught,  withdrew 
without  wishing  us  good  night. 


THE  ADJUTANT'S  AFTER-DINNER  RIDE 
Leve* — I'olume    Thirty 


CHAPTER  XXXIIL 

THE    SKIPPKR. 

IH  such  like  gossipings  passed  our  days  away,  for  on? 
voyage  itself  had  nothing  of  adventure  or  incident  to 
break  its  dull  monotony ;  save  some  few  hours  of  calm,  wo 
had  been  steadily  following  our  seaward  track  with  a  fair 
breeze,  and  the  long  pennant  pointed  ever  to  the  land 
where  our  ardent  expectations  were  hurrying  before  it. 

The  latest  accounts  which  had  reached  ns  from  the 
Peninsula,  told  that  our  regiment  was  almost  daily  en- 
gaged ;  and  we  burned  with  impatience  to  share  with  the 
others  the  glory  they  were  reaping.  Power,  who  had  seen 
service,  felt  less  on  this  score  than  we  who  had  not  '•  fleshed 
our  maiden  swords ; "  but  even  he  sometimes  gave  way  ; 
and,  when  the  wind  fell,  towards  sunset,  he  would  break 
out  into  some  exclamation  of  discontent,  half  fearing  we 
should  be  too  late ;  "  for,"  said  he,  "  if  we  go  on  in  this 
way,  the  regiment  will  be  relieved,  and  ordered  home 
before  we  reach  it." 

"  Never  fear,  my  boys,  you'll  have  enough  of  it.  Both 
sides  like  the  work  too  well  to  give  in  ;  they've  got  a 
capital  ground,  and  plenty  of  spare  time,"  said  the  Major. 

"  Only  to  think,"  cried  Power,  "  that  we  should  be 
lounging  away  our  idle  hours,  when  these  gallant  fellows 
are  in  the  saddle,  late  and  early.  It  is  too  bad ;  eh, 
O'Malley  ?  you'll  not  be  pleased  to  go  back  with  the  polish 
on  your  sabre  ?  What  will  Lucy  Dashwood  say  ?  " 

This  was  the  first  allusion  Power  had  ever  made  to  her, 
and  I  became  red  to  the  very  forehead. 

"  By  the  bye,"  added  he,  "  I  have  a  letter  for  Ham- 
mersley,  which  should  rather  have  been  entrusted  to  your 
keeping." 

At  these  words  I  felt  cold  as  death,  while  he  continued  : 

"  Poor  fellow  !  certainly  he  is  most  desperately  smitten  ; 
for,  mark  me,  when  a  man  at  his  age  takes  the  malady,  it 
is  forty  times  as  severe  as  with  a  younger  fellow,  like  you. 


252  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

But  then,  to  be  surf,  he  began  at  the  wrong  end  in  the 
matter;  why  commence  with  papa?  When  a  man  has  his 
own  consent  for  lii.iug  a  girl,  he  must  be  a  contemptible 
fellow  if  he  can't  gei  ner !  and,  as  to  anything  else  being 
wanting,  I  don't  understand  it.  But  the  moment  you 
begin  by  influencing  the  heads  of  the  house,  good-bye  to 
your  chances  with  the  dear  thing  herself,  if  she  have  any 
spirit  whatever.  It  is,  in  fact,  calling  on  her  to  surrender 
without  the  honours  of  war ;  and  what  girl  would  stand 
that  ?  " 

"It's  vara  true,"  said  the  Doctor;  "there's  a  strong 
speerit  of  opposition  in  the  sex,  from  physiological  causes." 

"  Curse  your  physiology,  old  Galen :  what  you  call  op- 
position is  that  piquant  resistance  to  oppression  that  makes 
half  the  charm  of  the  sex.  It  is  with  them — with  reverence 
be  it  spoken — as  with  horses :  the  dull,  heavy -shouldered 
ones,  that  bore  away  with  the  bit  in  their  teeth,  never  caring 
whether  you  are  pulling  to  the  right  or  to  the  left,  are 
worth  nothing ;  the  real  luxury  is  in  the  management  of 
your  arching  necked  curveter,  springing  from  side  to  side 
with  every  motion  of  your  wrist,  madly  bounding  at 
restraint ;  yet,  to  the  practised  hand,  held  in  check  with  a 
silk  thread  ;  eh,  Skipper — am  I  not  right  ?  " 

"  Well,  I  can't  say  I've  had  much  to  do  with  horse- 
beasts,  but  I  believe  you're  not  far  wrong.  The  lively  craft 
that  answers  the  helm  quick,  goes  round  well  in  stays, 
luffs  up  close  within  a  point  or  two,  when  you  want  her,  is 
always  a  good  sea-boat,  even  though  she  pitches  and  rolls  a 
bit ;  but  the  heavy  lugger  that  never  knows  whether  your 
helm  is  up  or  down,  whether  she's  off  the  wind  or  on  it,  is 
only  fit  for  firewood — you  can  do  nothing  with  a  ship  or 
a  woman,  if  she  hasn't  got  steerage  way  on  her." 

"  Come,  Skipper,  we've  all  been  telling  our  stories  ;  let 
us  hear  one  of  yours  ?  " 

"  My  yarn  won't  come  so  well  after  your  sky-scrapers  of 
love  and  courting,  and  all  that.  But,  if  you  like  to  hear 
what  happened  to  me  once,  I  have  no  objection  to  tell  you. 

"  I  often  think  how  little  we  know  what's  going  to  hap- 
pen to  us  any  minute  of  our  lives.  To-day  we  have  the 
breeze  fair  in  our  favour  ;  we  are  going  seven  knots,  stud- 
ding-sails set,  smooth  water,  and  plenty  of  sea-room  ;  to- 
morrow the  wind  freshens  to  half  a  gale,  the  sea  gets  up,  * 


THE    SKIPPER.  253 

rocky  coast  is  seen  from  the  lee  bow,  and  maybe — to  add  to 
all — we  spring  a  leak  forward  ;  but  then,  after  all,  bad  as 
it  looks,  mayhap,  we  rub  through  even  this,  and,  with  the 
next  day,  the  prospect  is  as  bright  and  cheering  as  ever. 
You'll  perhaps  ask  me  what  has  all  this  moralizing  to  dc 
with  women  and  ships  at  sea?  Nothing  at  all  with  them, 
except  that  I  was  a  going  to  say,  that  when  matters  looked 
worst,  very  often  the  best  is  in  store  for  us,  and  we  should 
never  say  strike  when  there  is  a  timber  together.  Now 
for  my  story  : — 

"It's  about  four  years  ago,  I  was  strolling  one  evening 
down  the  side  of  the  harbour  at  Cove,  with  my  hands  in 
my  pocket,  having  nothing  to  do,  nor  no  prospect  of  it,  for 
my  last  ship  had  been  wrecked  off  the  Bermudas,  and  nearly 
all  the  crew  lost ;  and,  somehow,  when  a  man  is  in  mis- 
fortune, the  underwriters  won't  have  him  at  no  price. 
Well,  there  I  was,  looking  about  me  at  the  craft  that  lay 
on  every  side  waiting  for  a  fair  wind  to  run  down  channel. 
All  was  active  and  busy ;  every  one  getting  his  vessel  ship- 
shape and  tidy,  tarring,  painting,  mending  sails,  stretching 
new  bunting,  and  getting  in  sea-store ;  boats  were  plying 
on  every  side,  signals  flying,  guns  firing  from  the  men-of- 
war,  and  everything  was  lively  as  might  be ;  all  but  me. 
There  I  was,  like  an  old  water-logged  timber- ship,  never 
moving  a  spar,  but  looking  for  all  the  world  as  though  I 
were  a  settling  fast  to  go  down  stern  foremost ;  maybe  as 
how  I  had  no  objection  to  that  same ;  but  that's  neither 
here  nor  there.  Well,  I  sat  down  on  the  fluke  of  an  anchor, 
and  began  a  thinking  if  it  wasn't  better  to  go  before  the 
mast  than  live  on  that  way.  Just  before  me,  where  I  sat 
down,  there  was  an  old  schooner  that  lay  moored  in  the 
game  place  for  as  long  as  I  could  remember :  she  was  there 
when  I  was  a  boy,  and  never  looked  a  bit  the  fresher  nor 
newer  as  long  as  I  recollected ;  her  old  bluff  bows,  her 
high  poop,  her  round  stern,  her  flush  deck,  all  Dutch-like, 
I  knew  them  well,  and  many  a  time  I  delighted  to  think 
what  queer  kind  of  a  chap  he  was  that  first  set  her  on  the 
stocks,  and  pondered  in  what  trade  she  ever  could  have 
been.  All  the  sailors  about  the  port  used  to  call  her 
Noah's  Ark,  and  swear  she  was  t*»e  identical  craft  that  he 
stowed  away  all  the  wild  beasts  in  during  the  rainy  season. 
Be  that  as  it  might,  since  I  fell  into  misfortune,  I  got  to 


254  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

feel  a  liking  for  the  old  schooner ;  she  was  like  an  old 
friend ;  she  never  changed  to  me,  fair  weather  or  foul ; 
there  she  was,  just  the  same  as  thirty  years  before,  when 
all  the  world  were  forgetting  and  steering  wide  away  from 
me.  Every  morning  I  used  to  go  down  to  the  harbour 
and  have  a  look  at  her,  just  to  see  that  all  was  right,  and 
nothing  stirred  ;  and,  if  it  blew  very  hard  at  night,  I'd  get 
up  and  go  down  to  look  how  she  weathered  it,  just  as  if  I 
was  at  sea  in  her.  Now  and  then  I'd  get  some  of  the 
watermen  to  row  me  aboard  of  her,  and  leave  me  there  for 
a  few  hours ;  when  I  used  to  be  quite  happy  walking  the 
deck,  holding  the  old  worm-eaten  wheel,  looking  out  ahead, 
and  going  down  below,  just  as  though  I  was  in  command 
of  her.  Day  after  day  this  habit  grew  on  me,  and  at  last 
my  whole  life  was  spent  in  watching  her  and  looking  after 
her — there  was  something  so  much  alike  in  our  fortunes, 
that  I  always  thought  of  her.  Like  myself,  she  had  had 
her  day  of  life  and  activity ;  we  had  both  braved  the  storm 
and  the  breeze ;  her  shattered  bulwarks  and  worn  cut- 
water attested  that  she  had,  like  myself,  not  escaped  her 
calamities.  We  both  had  survived  our  dangers,  to  be  neg- 
lected and  forgotten,  and  to  lie  rotting  on  the  stream  of 
life  till  the  crumbling  hand  of  Time  should  break  us  up, 
timber  by  timber.  Is  it  any  wonder  if  i  loved  the  old 
<  raft  ?  nor  if,  by  any  chance,  the  idle  boys  would  venture 
aboard  of  her  to  play  and  amuse  themselves,  that  I  hal- 
looed them  away  ?  or,  when  a  newly-arrived  ship,  not 
caring  for  the  old  boat,  would  run  foul  of  her,  and  carry 
away  some  spar  or  piece  of  running  rigging,  I  would  sud- 
denly call  out  to  them  to  sheer  off  and  not  damage  us  ? 
By  degrees,  they  came  all  to  notice  this;  and  I  found  that 
they  thought  me  out  of  my  senses,  and  many  a  trick  was 
played  off  upon  old  Noah,  for  that  was  the  name  the 
sailors  gave  me. 

"  Well,  this  evening,  as  I  was  saying,  I  sat  upon  the 
fluke  of  the  anchor,  waiting  for  a  chance  boat  to  put  me 
aboard.  It  was  past  sunset,  the  tide  was  ebbing,  and  the 
old  craft  was  surging  to  the  fast  current  that  ran  by  with 
a  short,  impatient  jerk,  as  though  she  were  well  weary,  and 
wished  to  be  at  rest ;  her  loose  stays  creaked  mournfully, 
and,  as  she  yawed  over,  the  sea  ran  from  many  a  breach 
in  her  worn  sides,  like  blood  trickling  from  a  wound.  '  Ay, 


THE   SKIPPER.  255 

ay,'  thought  I,  '  the  hour  is  not  far  off;  another  stiff  gale, 
and  all  that,  remains  of  you  will  be  found  high  and  dry 
upon  the  shore.'  My  heart  was  very  heavy  as  I  thought 
of  this,  for,  in  my  loneliness,  the  old  Ark — though  that 
was  not  her  name,  as  I'll  tell  you  presently — was  all  the 
companion  I  had.  I've  heard  of  a  poor  prisoner  who,  for 
many  and  many  years,  watched  a  spider  that  wove  his 
web  within  his  window,  and  never  lost  sight  of  him  from 
morning  till  night ;  and,  somehow,  I  can  believe  it  well ; 
the  heart  will  cling  to  something,  and,  if  it  has  no  living 
object  to  press  to,  it  will  find  a  lifeless  one — it  can  no 
more  stand  alone  than  the  shrouds  can  without  the  mast. 
The  evening  wore  on,  as  I  was  thinking  thus ;  the  moon 
shone  out,  but  no  boat  came,  and  I  was  just  determining  to 
go  home  again  for  the  night,  when  I  saw  two  men  stand- 
ing on  the  steps  of  the  wharf  below  me,  and  looking  straight 
at  the  Ark.  Now,  I  must  tell  you  I  always  felt  uneasy 
when  any  one  came  to  look  at  her,  for  I  began  to  fear  that 
some  shipowner  or  other  would  buy  her  to  break  up, 
though,  except  the  copper  fastenings,  there  was  little  of 
any  value  about  her.  Now,  the  moment  I  saw  the  two 
figures  stop  short,  and  point  to  her,  I  said  to  myself,  'Ah! 
my  old  girl,  so  they  won't  even  let  the  blue  water  finish 
you,  but  they  must  set  their  carpenters  and  dockyard 
people  to  work  upon  you.'  This  thought  grieved  me  mors 
and  more.  Had  a  sti  ff  sou'- wester  laid  her  over,  I  should 
have  felt  it  more  natural,  for  her  sand  was  run  out ;  but, 
just  as  this  passed  through  my  mind,  I  heard  a  voice  from 
one  of  the  persons,  that  I  at  once  knew  to  be  the  Port 
Admiral's : — 

"  'Well,  Dawkins,'  said  he  to  the  other,  'if  you  think 
she'll  hold  together,  I'm  sure  I've  no  objection.  I  don't  like 
the  job,  I  coniess  ;  but  still  the  Admiralty  must  be  obeyed.' 

"  '  Oh,  my  Lord,'  said  the  other,  '  she's  the  very  thing  ; 
she's  a  rakish-looking  craft,  and  will  do  admirably ;  any 
repair  we  want,  a  few  days  will  effect ;  secrecy  is  the  great 
thing.' 

"  '  Yes,'  said  the  Admiral,  after  a  pause,  '  as  you  ob- 
served, secrecy  is  the  great  thing.' 

"  '  Ho  !  ho  ! '  thought  I,  '  there's  something  in  the  wind 
here  ;'  so  I  laid  myself  out  upon  the  anchor-stock,  to  listen 
better,  unobserved. 


256  CHARLES  O'MALLET. 

"  *  We  must  find  a  crew  for  her,  give  her  a  few  carron- 
ades,  make  her  as  ship-shape  as  we  can,  and,  if  the 
skipper ' 

"  '  Ay,  but  there  is  the  real  difficulty,*  said  the  Admiral, 
hastily  ;  '  where  are  we  to  find  a  fellow  that  will  suit  us  ? 
We  can't  every  day  find  a  man  willing  to  jeopardize  him- 
self in  such  a  cause  as  this,  even  though  the  reward  be  a 
great  one.' 

"  *  Very  true,  my  Lord  ;  but  I  don't  think  there  is  any 
necessity  for  our  explaining  to  him  the  exact  nature  of  the 
service.' 

" '  Come,  come,  Dawkins,  you  can't  mean  that  you'll 
lead  a  poor  fellow  into  such  a  scrape  blindfolded  ?' 

"  '  Why,  my  Lord,  you  never  think  it  requisite  to  give 
a  plan  of  your  cruise  to  your  ship's  crew  before  clearing 
out  of  harbour.' 

"  '  This  may  be  perfectly  just,  but  I  don't  like  it,'  said 
the  Admiral. 

"In  that  case,  my  Lord,  you  are  imparting  the  secrets 
of  the  Admiralty  to  a  party  who  may  betray  the  whole 
plot.' 

"  '  I  wish,  with  all  my  soul,  they'd  given  the  order  to  any 
one  else,'  said  the  Admiral,  with  a  sigh  ;  and,  for  a  few 
moments,  neither  spoke  a  word. 

"  *  Well,  then,  Dawkins,  I  believe  there  is  nothing  for 
it,  but  what  vou  say ;  meanwhile,  let  the  repairs  be  got  in 
hand,  and  see  after  a  crew.' 

"  '  Oh,  as  to  that,'  said  the  other,  '  there  are  plenty  of 
scoundrels  in  the  fleet  here  fit  for  nothing  else.  Any 
fellow  who  has  been  thrice  up  for  punishment  in  six 
months,  we'll  draft  on  board  of  her ;  the  fellows  who 
have  only  been  once  to  the  gangway,  we'll  make  the 
officers.' 

"  '  A  pleasant  ship's  company,'  thought  I,  *  if  the  Devil 
would  only  take  the  command.' 

"  '  And  with  a  skipper  proportionate  to  their  merit,' 
said  Dawkins. 

" '  Begad  I'll  wish  the  French  joy  of  them,'  said  the 
Admiral. 

"  '  Ho,  ho  ! '  thought  I,  *  I've  found  you  out,  at  last ;  so 
this  is  a  secret  expedition ;  I  see  it  all ;  they're  fitting 
her  oat  as  a  fire-ship,  and  going  to  send  her  slap  in  among 


THE    SKIPPER.  257 

the  French  fleet  at  Brest.  Well,'  thought  I,  '  eveu  that's 
better  ;  that,  at  least,  is  a  glorious  end,  though  the  poor 
fellows  have  no  chance  of  escape.' 

"  '  Now,  then,'  said  the  Admiral,  '  to-morrow  you'll  look 
out  for  the  fellow  to  take  the  command,  He  must  be  a 
smart  seaman,  a  bold  fellow,  too  ;  otherwise  the  ruffianly 
crew  will  be  too  much  for  him ;  he  may  bid  high,  we'll 
come  to  his  price.' 

"  '  So  you  may,'  thought  I,  '  when  you  are  buying  his 
life.' 

" '  I  hope  sincerely,'  continued  the  Admiral,  '  that  we 
may  light  upon  some  one  without  wife  or  child ;  I  never 
could  forgive  myself ' 

"  '  Never  fear,  my  Lord,'  said  the  other:  '  my  care  shall 
be  to  pitch  upon  one  whose  loss  no  one  would  feel ;  some 
one  without  friend  or  home,  who  setting  his  life  for  nought, 
cares  less  for  the  gain  than  the  very  recklessness  of  the 
adventure.' 

" '  That's  me,'  said  I,  springing  up  from  the  anchor 
stock,  ;md  springing  between  them  ;  '  I'm  that  man.' 

"  Had  the  very  devil  himself  appeared  at  the  moment,  1 
doubt  if  they  would  have  been  more  scared.  The  Admiral 
started  a  pace  or  two  backwards,  whilst  Dawkins,  the 
first  surprise  over,  seized  me  by  the  collar,  and  held  me 
fast. 

"  'Who  are  you,  scoundrel,  and  what  brings  you  here?' 
said  he,  in  a  voice  hoarse  with  passion. 

" '  I'm  old  Noah,'  said  I ;  for,  somehow,  I  had  been 
called  by  no  other  name  for  so  long,  I  never  thought  of 
my  real  one. 

"  *  Noah  ! '  said  the  Admiral—'  Noah  !  Well,  but  Noah, 
what  were  you  doing  down  here  at  this  time  of  night  ?  ' 

" '  I  was  a  watching  the  Ark,  my  Lord,'  said  I,  bowing, 
as  I  took  off  my  hat. 

"'I've  heard  of  this  fellow  before,  my  Lord,'  said 
Dawkins  ;  '  he's  a  poor  lunatic  that  is  always  wandering 
about  the  harbour,  and,  I  believe,  has  no  harm  in  him.' 

" '  Yes,  but  he  has  been  listening,  doubtless,  to  our 
conversation,'  said  the  Admiral.  'Eh,  have  you  heard 
all  we  have  been  saying  ? ' 

"  *  Every  word  of  it,  my  Lord.' 

"  At  this  the  Admiral  and  Dawkins  looked  steadfastly 


258  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

at  each  other  for  some  minutes,  but  neither  spoke ;  at  last 
Dawkins  said,  '  Well,  Noah,  I've  been  told  you  are  a  man 
to  be  depended  on  ;  may  we  rely  upon  your  not  repeating 
anything  you  overheard  this  evening — at  least,  for  a  year 
to  come  ?  ' 

"  '  Yon  may,'  said  I. 

" '  But,  Dawkins,'  said  the  Admiral,  in  a  half  whisper, 
1  if  the  poor  fellow  be  mad  ?  ' 

" '  My  Lord,'  said  I,  boldly,  '  I  am  not  mad.  Mis- 
fortune and  calamity  I  have  had  enough  of  to  make  me 
so ;  but,  thank  God,  my  brain  has  been  tougher  than  my 
poor  heart.  I  was  once  the  part  owner  and  commander  of 
a  goodly  craft,  that  swept  the  sea,  if  not  with  a  broad 
pennon  at  her  mast-head,  with  as  light  a  spirit  as  ever 
lived  beneath  one.  I  was  rich  ;  I  had  a  home  and  a  child : 
I  am  now  poor,  houseless,  childless,  friendless,  and  an 
outcast.  If,  in  my  solitary  wretchedness,  I  have  loved  to 
look  upon  that  old  bark,  it  is  because  its  fortune  seemed 
like  my  own.  It  had  outlived  all  that  needed  or  cared 
for  it ;  for  this  reason  have  they  thought  me  mad,  though 
there  are  those,  and  not  few  either,  who  can  well  bear 
testimony  if  stain  or  reproach  lie  at  my  door,  and  if  I 
can  be  reproached  -with  aught  save  bad  luck.  I  have 
heard,  by  chance,  what  you  have  said  this  night ;  I  know 
that  you  are  fitting  out  a  secret  expedition  ;  I  know  its 
dangers,  its  inevitable  dangers,  and  I  here  offer  myself  to 
lead  it ;  I  ask  no  reward,  I  look  for  no  price.  Alas  !  who 
is  left  to  me  for  whom  I  could  labour  now  ?  Give  me 
but  the  opportunity  to  end  my  days  with  honour  on  board 
the  old  craft,  where  my  heart  still  clings :  give  me  but 
that.  Well,  if  you  will  not  do  so  much,  let  me  serve 
among  the  crew  ;  put  me  before  the  mast.  My  Lord, 
you'll  not  refuse  this ;  it  is  an  old  man  asks,  one  whose 
grey  hairs  have  floated  many  a  year  ago  before  the  breeze.' 

"  *  My  poor  fellow,  you  know  not  what  you  ask  ;  this  ia 
no  uncommon  case  of  danger.' 

"  '  I  know  it  all,  my  Lord  :  I  have  heard  it  all.' 

"  '  Dawkins,  what  is  to  be  done  here  ? '  inquired  the 
Admiral. 

"  *  I  say,  friend,'  inquired  Dawkins,  laying  his  hand  upon 
my  arm,'  what  is  your  real  name  ?  Are  you  he  who  com- 
manded the  Dwarf  privateer  in  the  Isle  of  France  ?' 


THE    SKIPPED.  259 

«  •  The  same.' 

"  '  Then  you  are  known  to  Lord  Collingwood  ?' 
"  '  He  knows  me  well,  and  can  speak  to  my  character.' 
"  'What  he  says  of  himself  is  all  true,  cay  Lord.' 
"  'True,'  said  I,  '  true  !  you  did  not  doubt  it,  did  you  ?' 
"  '  We/  said  the  Admiral,  '  must  speak  together  again  ; 
be  litre  to-uiorrow  night  at  this  hour;   keep  your  own 
counsel  of  what  has  passed;  and  now,  good  night.'     So 
saying,  the  Admiral  took  Dawkins  by  the  arm,  and  re- 
turned slowly  towards  the  town,  leaving  me  where  I  stood, 
meditating  on  this  singular  meeting  and  its  possible  con- 
sequences 

"The  whole  of  the  following  day  was  pussed  by  me  in 
a  state  of  feverish  excitement,  which  I  cannot  describe ; 
this  strange  adventure  breaking  in  so  suddenly  upon  the 
dull  monotony  of  my  daily  existence,  had  so  aroused  and 
stimulated  me,  that  1  could  neither  rest  nor  eat.  How  [ 
longed  for  night  to  come ;  for,  somtimes,  as  the  day  wore 
later,  I  began  to  fear  that  the  whole  scene  of  my  meeting 
with  the  Admiral  had  been  merely  some  excited  dream  oi 
a  tortured  and  fretted  mind ;  and,  as  I  stood  examining 
the  ground  where  I  believed  the  interview  to  have  occurred, 
I  endeavoured  to  recall  the  position  of  different  objects  as 
they  stood  around,  to  corroborate  my  own  failing  remem- 
brance. 

"At  last  the  evening  closed  in;  but,  unlike  the  pre- 
ceding one,  the  sky  was  covered  with  masses  of  dark  and 
watery  cloud,  that  drifted  hurriedly  across  ;  the  air  felt 
heavy  and  thick,  and  unnaturally  still  and  calm  ;  the  water 
of  the  harbour  looked  of  a  dull,  leaden  hue,  and  all  the 
vessels  seemed  larger  than  they  were,  and  stood  out  from 
the  landscape  more  clearly  than  usual;  now  and  then  a 
low  rumbling  noise  was  heard,  somewhat  alike  in  soucd. 
but  far  too  faint  for  distant  thunder;  while,  occasional!}, 
the  boats  and  smaller  craft  rocked  to  and  fro,  as  thougL 
some  ground  swell  stirred  them,  without  breaking  tht 
languid  surface  of  the  sea  above. 

"  A  few  drops  of  thick,  heavy  rain  fell  just  as  the  dark- 
ness came  on,  and  then  all  felt  still  and  calm  as  before.  I 
sat  upon  the  anchor-stock,  my  eyes  fixed  upon  the  old  Ark, 
until  gradually  her  outline  grew  fainter  and  lamter  against 
the  dark  sky,  and  her  black  hull  could  scarcely  be  dis- 


260  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

tinguished  from  the  water  beneath.  I  felt  that  I  was  look- 
ing towards  her ;  for,  long  after  I  had  lost  sight  of  the  tall 
mast  and  high-pitched  bowsprit,  I  feared  to  turn  away  my 
head,  lest  I  should  lose  the  place  where  she  lay 

"  The  time  went  slowly  on,  and,  although  in  reality  I 
had  not  been  long  there,  I  felt  as  if  years  themselves  had 
passed  over  my  head.  Since  I  had  come  there,  my  mind 
brooded  over  all  the  misfortunes  of  my  life  ;  as  I  contrasted 
its  outset,  bright  with  hope  and  rich  in  promise,  with  the 
sad  reality,  my  heart  grew  heavy  and  my  chest  heaved 
painfully ;  so  sunk  was  I  in  my  reflections,  so  lost  in 
thought,  that  I  never  knew  that  the  storm  had  broken 
loose,  and  that  the  heavy  rain  was  falling  in  torrents. 
The  very  ground,  parched  with  long  drought,  smoked  as 
it  pattered  upon  it ;  while  the  low,  wailing  cry  of  the  sea- 
gull, mingled  with  the  deep  growl  of  far-off  thunder,  told 
that  the  night  was  a  fearful  one  for  those  at  sea.  Wet 
through  and  shivering,  I  sat  still ;  now  listening,  amid 
ihe  noise  of  the  hurricane  and  the  creaking  of  the  cordage, 
for  any  footstep  to  approach,  and  now  relapsing  back  into 
a  half-despairing  dread,  that  my  heated  brain  alone  had 
conjured  up  the  scene  of  the  day  before.  Such  were  my 
dreary  reflections,  when  a  loud  crash  aboard  the  schooner 
told  me  that  some  old  spar  had  given  way.  I  strained 
my  eyes  through  the  dark  to  see  what  had  happened,  but 
in  vain,  the  black  vapour,  thick  with  falling  rain,  obscured 
everything,  and  all  was  hid  from  view.  I  could  hear  that 
she  worked  violently  as  the  waves  beat  against  her  worn 
sides,  and  that  her  iron  cable  creaked  as  she  pitched  to 
the  breaking  sea.  The  wind  was  momentarily  increasing, 
and  I  began  to  fear  lest  I  should  have  taken  my  last  look 
at  the  old  craft,  when  my  attention  was  called  off  by 
earing  a  loud  voice  cry  out,  '  Halloo  there  !  Where  are 
ou?' 

"  *Ay,  ay,  sir,  I'm  here.'  In  a  moment  the  Admiral 
and  his  friend  were  beside  me. 

"  '  What  a  night ! '  exclaimed  the  Admiral,  as  he  shook 
the  rain  from  the  heavy  boat-cloak,  and  cowered  in  beneath 
some  tall  blocks  of  granite  near.  '  I  began  half  to  hope  that 
you  might  not  have  been  here,  my  poor  fellow,'  said  the 
Admiral :  '  it's  a  dreadful  time  for  one  so  poorly  clad  for  a 
storm,  I  say,  Dawkins,  let  him  have  a  pull  at  your  flask.' 


THE    SKIPPER.  261 

The  brandy  rallied  me  a  little,  and  I  felt  that  it  cheered 
my  drooping  courage. 

"  '  This  is  not  a  time,  nor  is  it  a  place  for  much  parley,' 
said  the  Admiral,  '  so  that  we  must  even  make  short  work 
of  it.  Since  we  met  here  last  night,  I  have  satisfied  my- 
self that  yon  are  to  be  trusted,  that  your  character  and 
reputation  have  nothing  heavier  against  them  than  mis- 
fortune, which,  certainly,  if  I  have  been  rightly  informed, 
has  been  largely  dealt  out  to  you.  Now,  then,  1  am 
willing  to  accept  of  your  offer  of  service,  if  you  are  still 
of  the  same  mind  as  when  you  made  it,  and  if  you  are 
willing  to  undertake  what  we  have  to  do,  without  any 
question  and  inquiry,  as  to  points  on  which  we  must  not 
and  dare  not  inform  you.  Whatever  you  may  have  over- 
heard last  night,  may,  or  may  not,  have  put  you  in  pos- 
sesssion  of  our  secret.  If  the  former,  your  determination 
can  be  made  at  once  ;  if  the  latter,  you  have  only  to 
decide  whether  you  are  ready  to  go  blindfolded  in  the 
business.' 

"  '  I  am  ready,  my  Lord,'  said  I. 

"  '  You  perhaps  are  then  aware  what  is  the  nature  of  the 
service  ? ' 

"  '  I  know  it  not,'  said  I.  'All  that  I  heard,  sir,  leads 
me  to  suppose  it  one  of  danger,  but  that's  all.' 

" '  I  think,  my  Lord,'  said  Dawkins,  '  that  no  more 
need  now  be  said.  Cupples  is  ready  to  engage,  we  are 
equally  so  to  accept ;  the  thing  is  pressing.  When  can 
you  sail  ?  ' 

*' '  To-night,'  said  I,  '  if  you  will.' 

" '  Really,  Dawkins,'  said  the  Admiral,  *  I  don't  see 
why ' 

"  *  My  Lord,  I  beg  of  you,'  said  the  other,  interrupting, 
'  let  me  now  complete  the  arrangement.  This  is  the  plan,' 
said  he,  turning  towards  me  as  he  spoke :  *  As  soon  as  that 
old  craft  can  be  got  ready  for  sea,  or  some  other,  if  she  be 
not  worth  it,  you  will  sail  from  this  port  with  a  strong 
crew,  well  armed  and  supplied  with  ammunition.  Your 
destination  is  Malta,  your  object  to  deliver  to  the  Admiral 
stationed  there  the  despatches  with  which  you  will  be  en- 
trusted ;  they  contain  information  of  immense  importance, 
which,  for  certain  reasons,  cannot  be  sent  through  a  ship 
of  war,  but  must  be  forwarded  by  a  vessel  that  may  not 


262  CHARLES  O'MALLSY. 

attract  peculiar  notice.  If  you  be  attacked,  your  orders 
are  to  resist ;  if  you  be  taken,  on  no  account  destroy  the 
papers,  for  the  French  vessel  can  scarcely  escape  re-capture 
from  our  frigates,  and  it  is  of  great  consequence  these 
papeis  should  remain.  Such  is  a  brief  sketch  of  our 
plan ;  the  details  can  be  made  known  to  you  hereafter.* 

" '  I  am  quite  ready,  my  Lord :  I  ask  for  no  terms ;  I 
make  no  stipulations.  If  the  result  be  favourable,  it  will 
be  time  enough  to  speak  of  that.  When  am  I  to  sail  ? ' 

"  As  I  spoke,  the  Admiral  turned  suddenly  round,  and 
said  something  in  a  whisper  to  Dawkins,  who  appeared  to 
overrule  it,  whatever  it  might  be,  and  finally  brought  him 
over  to  his  own  opinion. 

"  '  Come,  Cupples,'  said  Dawkins,  '  the  affair  is  now 
settled  ;  to-morrow  a  boat  will  be  in  waiting  for  you 
opposite  Spike  Island  to  convey  you  on  board  the  Semiramis, 
where  every  step  in  the  whole"  business  shall  be  explained 
to  you;  meanwhile,  you  have  only  to  keep  your  own 
counsel,  and  trust  the  secret  to  no  one.' 

"  '  Yes,  Cupples,'  said  the  Admiral,  '  we  rely  upon  you 
for  that,  so  good  night.'  As  he  spoke,  he  placed  within 
my  hands  a  crumpled  note  for  ten  pounds,  and,  squeezing 
my  fingers,  departed. 

"  My  yarn  is  spinning  out  to  a  far  greater  length  than  I 
intended,  so  I'll  tiy  and  shorten  it  a  bit.  The  next  day  I 
went  aboard  the  Semirawis,  where,  when  I  appeared  upon 
the  quarter-deck,  I  found  myself  an  object  of  some  in- 
terest. The  report  that  I  was  the  man  about  to  command 
the  Brian — that  was  the  real  name  of  the  old  craft — had 
caused  some  curiosity  among  the  officers,  and  they  all 
spoke  to  me  with  great  courtesy.  After  waiting  a  short 
time,  I  was  ordered  to  go  below,  where  the  Admiral,  his 
Flag-Captain  Dawkins,  and  the  others  were  seated.  They 
repeated  at  greate^  length  the  conversation  of  the  night 
before,  and  finally  decided  that  I  was  to  sail  in  three 
weeks  ;  for,  although  the  old  schooner  was  sadly  damaged, 
they  had  lost  no  time,  but  had  her  already  high  in  dock, 
with  two  hundred  ship  carpenters  at  work  upon  her. 

"  I  do  not  shorten  sail  here  to  tell  you  what  reports  were 
circulated  about  Cove  as  to  my  extraordinary  change  in 
circumstances,  nor  how  I  bore  my  altered  fortunes.  It  ia 
enough  if  I  say  that,  in  less  than  three  weeks  I  weighed 


THE   SKIPPER.  263 

anchor,  and  stood  out  to  sea  one  beaatiful  morning  in 
autumn,  and  set  out  upon  my  expedition. 

"  I  have  already  told  you  something  of  the  craft.  Let 
me  complete  the  picture  by  informing  you  that,  before 
twenty-four  hours  passed  over,  I  discovered  that  so  un- 
gainly, so  awkward,  so  unmanageable  a  vessel  never  put 
to  sea :  in  light  winds  she  scarcely  stirred,  or  moved  as  if 
she  were  water-logged ;  if  it  came  to  blow  upon  the 
quarter,  she  fell  off'  from  her  helm  at  a  fearful  rate ;  in 
wearing,  she  endangered  every  spar  she  had  ;  and,  when 
you  put  her  in  stays,  when  half  round  she  would  fall  back, 
and  nearly  carry  away  every  stitch  of  canvas  with  the 
shock.  If  the  ship  was  bad,  the  crew  was  ten  times  worse. 
What  Dawkins  said  turned  out  to  be  literally  true  :  every 
ill-conducted,  disorderly  fellow  who  had  been  up  the  gang- 
way once  a  week  or  so,  every  unreclaimed  landsman  of 
bad  character  and  no  seamanship,  was  sent  on  board  of 
us ;  and,  in  fact,  except  that  there  was  scarcely  any  disci- 
pline and  no  restraint,  we  appeared  like  a  floating  peniten- 
tiary of  convicted  felons. 

"  So  long  as  we  ran  down  channel,  with  a  slack  sea  and 
fair  wind,  so  long  all  went  on  tolerably  well ;  to  be  sure, 
they  only  kept  watch  when  they  were  tired  below,  when 
they  came  up  reeled  about  the  deck,  did  all  just  as  they 
pleased,  and  treated  me  with  no  manner  of  respect.  After 
some  vain  efforts  to  repress  their  excesses — vain,  for  I  had 
but  one  to  second  me — I  appeared  to  take  no  notice  of 
their  misconduct,  and  contented  myself  with  waiting  for 
the  time  when,  my  dreary  voyage  over,  I  should  quit  the 
command,  and  part  company  with  such  associates  for  ever. 
At  last,  however,  it  came  on  to  blow,  and  the  night  we 
passed  the  Lizard  was  indeed  a  fearful  one.  As  morning 
broke,  a  sea  running  mountains  high,  a  wind  strong  from 
the  north-west  was  hurrying  the  old  craft  along  at  a  rate 
I  believed  impossible.  I  shall  not  stop  to  recount  the 
frightful  scenes  of  anarchy,  confusion,  drunkenness,  and 
insubordination  which  our  crew  exhibited  ;  the  recollection 
is  too  bad  already,  and  I  would  spare  you  and  myself  the 
recital ;  but,  on  the  fourth  day  from  the  setting  in  of  the 
gale,  as  we  entered  the  Bay  of  Biscay,  some  one  aloft  de- 
scried a  strange  sail  to  windward,  bearing  down  as  if  in 
pursuit  of  us.  Scarcely  did  the  news  reach  the  deck, 


264  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

when,  bad  as  it  was  before,  matters  became  now  ton 
times  worse,  some  resolving  to  give  themselves  up,  if  the 
chase  happened  to  be  French,  and  vowing  that,  before 
surrendering,  the  spirit-room  should  be  forced,  and 
every  man  let  drink  as  he  pleased.  Others  proposed,  if 
there  were  anything  like  equality  in  the  force,  to  attack, 
and  convert  the  captured  vessel,  if  they  succeeded,  into  a 
slaver,  and  sail  at  once  for  Africa.  Some  were  for  blowing 
up  the  old  Brian  with  all  on  board ;  and,  in  fact,  every 
counsel  that  drunkenness,  insanity,  and  crime  combined 
could  suggest  was  offered  and  descanted  on.  Meanwhile 
the  chase  gained  rapidly  upon  us,  and  before  noon  we  dis- 
covered her  to  be  a  French  letter-of-marque,  with  four 
guns,  and  a  long  brass  swivel  upon  the  poop  deck.  As  for 
us,  every  sheet  of  canvas  we  could  crowd  wa.s  crammed 
on,  but  in  vain  ;  and,  as  we  laboured  through  the  heavy 
sea.  our  riotous  crew  grew  every  moment  worse,  and, 
sitting  down  sulkily  in  groups  upon  the  deck,  declared 
that,  come  what  might,  they  would  neither  work  the  ship 
nor  fight  her ;  that  they  had  been  sent  to  sea  in  a  rotten 
craft,  merely  to  effect  their  destruction,  and  that  they  cared 
little  for  the  disgrace  of  a  flag  they  detested.  Half  furious 
with  the  taunting  sarcasm  I  heard  on  every  side,  and 
nearly  mad  from  passion,  and  bewildered,  my  first  impulse 
was  to  rush  amongst  them  with  my  drawn  cutlass,  and, 
ere  I  fell  their  victim,  take  heavy  vengeance  upon  the  ring- 
leaders, when  suddenly  a  sharp  booming  noise  came  thunder- 
ing along,  and  a  round  shot  went  flying  over  our  he*ds 

"  '  Down  with  the  ensign ;  strike  at  once ! '  cried  eight 
or  ten  voices  together,  as  the  ball  whizzed  through  the 
rigging.  Anticipating  this,  and  resolving,  whatever  might 
happen,  to  fight  her  to  the  last,  I  had  made  the  mate,  a 
staunch-hearted,  resolute  fellow,  to  make  fast  the  signal 
gaily ard  aloft,  so  that  it  was  impossible  for  any  one  on 
deck  to  lower  the  bunting.  Bang  went  another  gun,  and, 
before  the  smoke  cleared  away,  a  third,  which,  truer  in  its 
aim  than  the  rest,  went  clean  through  the  lower  part  of 
our  mainsail. 

"  *  Steady,  then,  boys,  and  clear  for  action,'  said  the 
mate.  *  She's  a  French  smuggling  craft  that  will  sheer  off 
when  we  show  fight,  BO  that  we  must  not  fire  a  shot  till 
she  comes  alongside.' 


THE    SKIPPER.  265 

"  '  And  harkee,  lads,'  said  I,  taking  up  the  tone  of 
encouragement  he  spoke  with,  *  if  we  take  her,  I  promise 
to  claim  nothing  of  the  prize.  Whatever  we  capture  you 
shall  divide  amongst  yourselves.' 

"  '  It's  very  easy  to  divide  what  we  never  had,'  said 
one ;  '  Nearly  as  easy  as  to  give  it,'  cried  another ;  '  I'll 
never  light  match  or  draw  cutlass  in  the  cause,'  said  a 
third. 

"  '  Surrender ! '  '  Strike  the  flag ! '  '  Down  with  the 
colours  ! '  roared  several  voices  together. 

"  By  this  time  the  Frenchman  was  close  up,  and  ranging 
his  long  gun  to  sweep  our  decks  ;  his  crew  were  quite 
perceptible — about  twenty  bronzed,  stout-looking  fellows 
stripped  to  the  waist,  and  carrying  pistols  in  broad  flat 
belts,  slung  over  the  shoulder. 

"  '  Come,  my  lads,'  said  I,  raising  my  voice,  as  I  drew  a 
pistol  from  my  side  and  cocked  it,  '  our  time  is  short  now ; 
I  may  as  well  tell  you  thatthe  first  shot  that  strikes  us 
amidship  blows  up  the  whole  craft  and  every  man  on 
board.  We  are  nothing  less  than  a  fire-ship,  dest:ned  for 
Brest  harbour  to  blow  up  the  French  fleet.  If  you  are 
willing  to  make  an  effort  for  your  lives,  follow  me  ! ' 

"  The  men  looked  aghast.  Whatever  recklessness  crime 
and  drunkenness  had  given  them,  the  awful  feeling  of 
inevitable  death  at  once  repelled.  Short  as  was  the  time 
for  reflection,  they  felt  that  there  were  many  circumstances 
to  encourage  the  assertion :  the  nature  of  the  vessel,  her 
riotous,  disorderly  crew,  the  secret  nature  of  the  service 
all  confirmed  it,  and  they  answered  with  a  shout  of  despair- 
ing vengeance,  *  We'll  board  her;  lead  us  on.'  As  the  cry 
rose  up,  the  long  swivel  from  the  chase  rang  sharply  in 
our  ears,  and  a  tremendous  discharge  of  grape  flew  through 
our  rigging ;  none  of  our  men,  however,  fell ;  and,  ani- 
mated now  with  the  desire  for  battle,  they  sprang  to  the 
binnacle,  and  seized  their  arms. 

"  In  an  instant  the  whole  deck  became  a  scene  of  ex- 
cited bustle ;  and  scarcely  was  the  ammunition  dealt  out, 
and  the  boarding-party  drawn  up,  when  the  Frenchman 
broached  to,  and  lashed  his  bowsprit  to  our  own 

"  One  terrific  yell  burst  from  our  fellows  as  they  sprang 
from  the  rigging  and  the  poop  upon  the  astonished  French- 
men, who  thought  that  the  victory  was  already  their  own ; 


266  CHARLES  O'MALLET. 

with  denth  and  rnin  beliinrl,  their  only  hope  before,  thej 
dashed  forward  like  madmen  to  the  fray. 

"  The  conflict  was  bloody  and  terrific,  though  not  a  long 
one ;  nearly  equal  in  number,  but  far  superior  in  personal 
strength,  and  stimulated  by  their  sense  of  danger,  our 
fellows  rushed  onward,  carrying  all  before  them  to  the 
quarter-deck.  Here  the  Frenchmen  rallied,  and,  for  «ome 
minutes,  had  rather  the  advantage,  until  the  mate,  turning 
one  of  their  guns  against  them,  prepared  to  sweep  them 
down  in  a  mass.  Then  it  was  that  they  ceased  their  fire 
and  cried  out  for  quarter, — all,  save  their  captain,  a  short, 
thickset  fellow,  with  a  grizzly  beard  and  moustache,  who, 
seeing  his  men  fall  back,  turned  on  them  one  glance  of 
scowling  indignation,  and,  rushing  forward,  clove  our 
boatswain  to  the  deck  with  one  blow.  Before  the  example 
could  have  been  followed,  he  lay  a  bloody  corpse  upon  the 
deck,  while  our  people,  roused  to  madness  by  the  loss  of  a 
favourite  among  the  men,  dashed  impetuously  forward,  and, 
dealing  death  on  every  side,  left  not  one  man  living  among 
their  unresisting  enemies.  My  story  is  soon  told  now.  We 
brought  our  prize  safe  into  Malta,  which  we  reached  in  five 
days.  In  less  than  a  week  our  men  were  drafted  into 
different  men-of-war  on  the  station.  I  was  appointed  a 
warrant  officer  in  the  Sheerwater,  forty-four  guns  ;  and,  as 
the  Admiral  opened  the  despatch,  the  only  words  he  spoke 
puzzled  me  for  many  a  day  after. 

"'You  have  accomplished  your  orders  too  well,'  said 
he,  '  that  privateer  is  but  a  poor  compensation  for  the 
whole  French  navy.'  " 

"  Well,"  inquired  Power,  "  and  did  you  never  hear  the 
meaning  of  the  words  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  said  he ;  "  many  years  after,  I  found  out  that 
our  despatches  were  false  ones,  intended  to  have  fallen 
into  the  hands  of  the  French,  and  mislead  them  as  to 
Lord  Nelson's  fleet,  wlrch  at  that  time  was  cruising  to 
the  southward  to  catch  them.  This,  of  course,  explained 
what  jate  was  destined  for  us — a  French  prison,  if  not 
death  ;  and,  after  all,  either  was  fully  good  enough  for  the 
crew  that  sailed  in.  the  old  Brian." 


267 


CHAPTEE  XXXIV. 

THB   LAND. 

fr  mis  late  when  we  separated  for  the  night,  and  the 
morning  was  already  far  advanced  ere  I  awoke ;  the 
monotonous  tramp  overhead  showed  me  that  the  others 
weis*  stirring,  and  I  gently  moved  the  shutter  of  the  nar- 
row window  beside  me  to  look  out. 

The  sea,  slightly  rippled  up  ,n  its  surface,  shone  like  a 
plate  of  fretted  gold  ;  not  a  wave,  not  a  breaker  appeared  ; 
but  the  rushing  sound  close  by  showed  that  we  were 
moving  fast  through  the  water. 

"  Always  calm,  hereabouts,"  said  a  gruff  voice  on  deck, 
which  I  soon  recognized  as  the  Skipper's  ;  "  no  sea  what- 
ever." 

"  I  can  make  nothing  of  it,"  cried  out  Power,  from  the 
forepart  of  the  vessel,  "  it  appears  to  me  all  cloud." 

"No,  no,  six,  believe  me,  it's  no  fog- bank,  that  large 
dark  mass  to  U-eward  there ;  that's  Cintra." 

"  Land  !  "  cried  I,  springing  up  and  rushing  upon  deck ; 
"  where,  Skipper, — where  is  the  land  ?  " 

"  I  say,  Charley,"  said  Power,  "  I  hope  you  mean  to 
adopt  a  little  more  clothing  on  reaching  Lisbon ;  for 
though  the  climate  is  a  warm  one " 

"  Never  mind,  O'Malley,"  said  the  Major  ;  "  the  Portu- 
guese will  only  be  flattered  by  the  attention,  if  you  land 
as  you  are." 

"  Why,  how  so  ?  " 

"  Surely,  you  remember  what  the  niggers  said  when 
they  saw  the  79th  Highlanders  landing  at  St.  Lucie.  They 
had  never  seen  a  Scotch  regiment  before,  and  were  con- 
sequently somewhat  puzzled  at  the  costume  ;  till,  at  last, 
one  more  cunning  than  the  rest  explained  it  by  saying, 
'  They  are  in  such  a  hurry  to  kill  the  poor  black  men,  that 
they  come  away  without  their  breeches.'  " 

"  Now,  what  say  you  ?  "  cried  the  Skipper,  as  he  pointed 

Vol.  30-<10) 


268  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

with  his  telescope  to  a  dark  blue  mass  in  the  distance: 
"see  there!" 

"  Ah,  true  enough.,  that's  Cintra  !  " 

"  Then  we  shall  probably  be  in  the  Tagus  before  morn- 
ing?" 

"  Before  midnight,  if  the  wind  holds,"  said  the  Skipper. 

We  breakfasted  on  deck,  beneath  an  awning,  the  vessel 
scarcely  seemed  to  move  as  she  cut  her  way  through  the 
calm  water. 

The  misty  outline  of  the  coast  grew  gradually  more 
defined,  and  at  length  the  blue  mountains  could  be  seen, 
at  first  but  dimly  ;  but  as  the  day  wore  on,  their  many- 
coloured  hues  shone  forth,  and  patches  of  green  verdure, 
dotted  with  sheep,  or  sheltered  by  dark  foliage,  met  the 
eye.  The  bulwarks  were  crowded  with  anxious  faces ; 
each  looked  pointedly  towards  the  shore,  and  many  a  stout 
heart  beat  high  as  the  land  drew  near,  fated  to  cover  with 
its  earth  more  than  one  amongst  us. 

'*  And  that's  Portingale,  Mister  Charles,"  said  a  voice 
behind  me.  I  turned,  and  saw  my  man  Mike,  as,  with 
anxious  joy,  he  fixed  his  eyes  upon  the  shore. 

'They  tell  me  it's  a  beautiful  place,  with  wine  for  nothing, 
and  spirits  for  less.  Isn't  it  a  pity  they  won't  be  raison- 
able,  and  make  peace  with  us  ?  " 

"  Why,  my  good  fellow,  we  are  excellent  friends ;  it's 
the  French  who  want  to  beat  us  all." 

"  Upon  my  conscience,  that's  not  right.  There's  an  ould 
saying  in  Connaught, — it's  not  fair  for  one  to  fall  upon 
twenty.  Sergeant  Haggarty  says  that  I'll  see  none  of  the 
divarsion  at  all." 

'*  I  don't  well  understand " 

"  He  does  be  telling  me  that,  as  I'm  only  your  footboy, 
he'll  send  me  away  to  the  rear,  where  there's  nothing  but 
wounded,  and  waggons,  and  women." 

u  I  believe  the  sergeant  is  right  there ;  but,  after  all, 
Mike,  it's  a  safe  place." 

"  Ah !  then,  musha  for  the  safety ;  I  don't  think  much 
of  it ;  sure  they  might  circumvint  us.  And,  av  it  wasn't 
displazing  to  you,  I'd  rather  list." 

**  Well,  I've  no  objection,  Mickey :  would  you  like  to 
'oin  my  regiment  ?  " 

**  By  coorse,  your  honour.     I'd  like  to  be  near  yourself; 


THE    LAND.  269 

bekase,  too,  if  anything  happens  to  you — the  Lord  be  be- 
tune  us  and  harm," — here  he  crossed  himself  piously, — 
"  sure  I'd  like  to  be  able  to  tell  the  master  how  you  died ; 
and,  sure,  there's  Mr.  Considine — God  pardon  him  ! — he'll 
be  beating  my  brains  out  av  I  couldn't  explain  it  all." 

**  Well,  Mike,  I'll  speak  to  some  of  my  friends  here 
about  you,  and  well  settle  it  all  properly ;  here's  the 
Doctor." 

'*  Arrah,  Mr.  Charles,  don't  mind  him  ;  he's  a  poor  cray- 
ture  entirely ;  devil  a  thing  he  knows." 

"  Why,  what  do  you  mean,  man  ?  he's  physician  to  the 
forces." 

"  Oh,  be-gorra,  and  so  he  may  be,"  said  Mike,  with  a 
toss  of  his  head  ;  "  those  array  docthers  isn't  worth  their 
salt.  It's  thruth  I'm  telling  you  ;  sure  didn't  he  come  see 
me  when  I  was  sick  below  in  the  hould  ?  " 

** '  How  do  you  feel  ?  '  says  he. 

"  *  Terribly  dhry  in  the  mouth,'  says  I. 

"  '  But  your  bones,'  says  he,  *  how's  them  ?' 

"  '  As  if  cripples  was  kicking  me,'  says  I. 

**  Well,  with  that  he  wint  away,  and  brought  back  two 
powders. 

"'Take  them,'  says  he,  'and  you'll  be  cured  in  no 
time.' 

'« '  What's  them  ?  '  says  I. 

" '  They're  ematics,'  says  he. 

** '  Blood  and  ages,'  says  I,  '  are  they  ?  * 

"  *  Devil  a  lie,'  says  he  ;  '  take  them  immediately.* 

"  And  I  tuk  them — and,  would  you  believe  me,  Mister 
Charles  ? — it's  thruth  I'm  telling  you — devil  a  one  o'  them 
would  stay  on  my  stomach.  So  you  see  what  a  docther 
he  is!"  ' 

I  could  not  help  smiling  at  Mike's  ideas  of  medicine, 
as  I  turned  away  to  talk  to  the  Major,  who  was  busily 
engaged  beside  me.  His  occupation  consisted  in  furbish- 
ing up  a  very  tarnished  and  faded  uniform,  whose  white 
seams  and  threadbare  lace  betokened  many  years  of  ser- 
vice. 

"  Getting  up  our  traps,  you  see,  O'Malley,"  said  he,  as 
he  looked  with  no  small  pride  at  the  faded  glories  of  his 
old  vestment ;  '*  astonish  them  at  Lisbon,  we  flatter  our- 
selves. I  say,  Power,  what  a  bad  style  of  dress  they've 


270  CHARLES  o 'MALLET. 

got  into  latterly,  with  their  tight  waists  and  strapped 
trousers — nothing  free,  nothing  easy,  nothing  dfgagb  about 
it.  When  in  a  campaign,  a  man  ought  to  be  able  to  stow 
prog  for  twenty-four  hours  about  his  person,  and  no  one 
the  wiser.  A  very  good  rule,  I  assure  you,  though  it 
sometimes  leads  to  awkward  results.  At  Vimeira,  I  got 
into  a  sad  scrape  that  way.  Old  Sir  Harry,  that  com- 
manded there,  sent  for  the  sick  return.  I  was  at  dinner 
when  the  orderly  came ;  so  I  packed  up  the  eatables  abou*; 
me,  and  rode  off.  Just,  however,  as  I  came  up  to  the 
quarters,  my  horse  stumbled  and  threw  me  slap  on  my 
head. 

'*'  Is  he  killed  ?  '  said  Sir  Harry. 

"  *  Only  stunned,  your  Excellency,'  said  some  one. 

"  '  Then  he'll  come  to,  I  suppose.  Look  for  the  papers 
in  his  pocket.' 

"  So  they  turned  me  on  my  back,  and  plunged  a  hand 
into  my  side-pocket,  but,  the  devil  take  it,  they  pulled  out 
a  roast  hen.  Well,  the  laugh  was  scarcely  over  at  this, 
when  another  fellow  dived  into  my  coat  behind,  and 
lugged  out  three  sausages  ;  and  so  they  went  on,  till  the 
ground  was  covered  with  ham,  pigeon-pie,  veal,  kidney, 
and  potatoes,  and  the  only  thing  like  a  paper  was  a  mess 
roll  of  the  4th,  with  a  droll  song  about  Sir  Harry,  written 
in  pencil  on  the  back  of  it.  Devil  of  a  bad  affair  for  me ; 
I  was  nearly  broke  for  it ;  but  they  only  reprimanded  me 
a  little,  and  I  was  afterwards  attached  to  the  victualling 
department." 

What  an  anxious  thing  is  the  last  day  of  a  voyage !  how 
slowly  creep  the  hours,  teeming  with  memories  of  the  past 
and  expectations  of  the  future  ! 

Every  plan,  every  well-devised  expedient  to  cheat  the 
long  and  weary  days,  is  at  once  abandoned ;  the  chess-- 
board and  the  new  novel  are  alike  forgotten,  and  the  very 
quarter-deck  walk,  with  its  merry  gossip  and  careless  chit- 
chat, becomes  distasteful.  One  blue  and  misty  mountain, 
one  faint  outline  of  the  far-off  shore,  has  dispelled  all 
thought  of  these,  and,  with  straining  eye  and  anxious 
heart,  we  watch  for  land. 

As  the  day  wears  on  apace,  the  excitement  increases : 
the  faint  and  shadowy  forms  of  distant  objects  grow  gra- 
dually clearer.  Where  before  some  tall  and  misty  uioun- 


THE   LAND.  271 

tain  peak  was  seen,  we  now  descry  patches  of  deepest  blue 
and  sombre  olive ;  the  mellow  corn  and  the  waving  woods, 
the  village  spire  and  the  lowly  cot,  come  out  of  the  land- 
Bcape  ;  and,  like  some  well-remembered  voice,  they  speak 
of  home.  The  objects  we  have  seen,  the  sounds  we  have 
heard  a  hundred  times  before  without  interest,  become  to 
us  now  things  that  stir  the  heart. 

For  a  time,  the  bright  glare  of  the  noonday  sun  dazzles 
the  view,  and  renders  indistinct  the  prospect ;  but,  as  even- 
ing falls,  once  more  is  all  fair,  and  bright,  and  rich  before 
us.  Rocked  by  the  long  and  rolling  swell,  I  lay  beside  the 
bowsprit,  watching  the  shore-birds  that  came  to  rest  upon 
the  rigging,  or  following  some  long  and  tangled  sea-weed 
as  it  floated  by ;  my  thoughts  now  wandering  back  to  the 
brown  hills  and  the  broad  river  of  my  early  home — now 
straying  off  in  dreary  fancies  of  the  future. 

How  flat  and  unprofitable  does  all  ambition  seem  at 
such  moments  as  these !  how  valueless,  how  poor,  in  our 
estimation,  those  worldly  distinctions  we  have  so  often 
longed  and  thirsted  for,  as  with  lowly  heart  and  simple 
spirit  we  watch  each  humble  cottage,  weaving  to  ourselves 
some  story  of  its  inmates  as  we  pass  ! 

The  night  at  length  closed  in,  but  it  was  a  bright  and 
starry  one, — lending  to  the  landscape  a  hue  of  sombre 
shadow,  while  the  outline  of  the  objects  were  still  sharp  and 
distinct  as  before.  One  solitary  star  twinkled  near  the 
horizon.  I  watched  it  as,  at  intervals  disappearing,  it 
would  again  shine  out,  marking  the  calm  sea  with  a  tall 
pillar  of  light. 

"  Come  down,  Mr.  O'Malley,"  cried  the  Skipper's  well- 
known  voice  :  "  come  down  below,  and  join  us  in  a  parting 
glass — that's  the  Lisbon  light  to  leeward,  and  before  two 
kourg  we  drop  our  anchor  in  the  Tagus." 


272  CEABLES  O'MALLEY. 


CHAPTER  XXXV. 

MAJOR   MONBOOH. 

OF  my  travelling  companions  I  have  already  told  my 
readers  something.  Power  is  now  an  old  acquaintance ; 
to  Sparks  I  have  already  presented  them  ;  of  the  Adjutant 
they  are  not  entirely  ignorant ;  and  it  therefore  only  re- 
mains for  me  to  introduce  to  their  notice  Major  Monsoon.  I 
should  have  some  scruple  for  the  digression  which  this 
occasions  in  my  narrative,  were  it  not  that  with  the  worthy 
Major  I  was  destined  to  meet  subsequently,  and  indeed 
served  under  his  orders  for  some  months  in  the  Peninsula. 
When  Major  Monsoon  had  entered  the  army,  or  in  what 
precise  capacity,  I  never  yet  met  the  man  who  could  tell. 
There  were  traditionary  accounts  of  his  having  served  in 
the  East  Indies  and  in  Canada,  in  times  long  past.  His  own 
peculiar  reminiscences  extended  to  nearly  every  regiment 
in  the  service,  "  horse,  foot,  and  dragoons."  There  was 
not  a  clime  he  had  not  basked  in  ;  not  an  engagement  he 
had  not  witnessed.  His  memory,  or,  if  you  will,  his  in- 
vention, was  never  at  fault ;  and  from  the  siege  of  Seringa- 
patam  to  the  battle  of  Corunna  he  was  perfect:  besides 
this,  he  possessed  a  mind  retentive  of  even  the  most  trifling 
details  of  his  profession  ;  from  the  formation  of  a  regiment 
to  the  introduction  of  a  new  button,  from  the  laying  down 
of  a  parallel  to  the  price  of  a  camp-kettle,  he  knew  it  all. 
To  be  sure,  he  had  served  in  the  Commissary-General's 
department  for  a  number  of  years,  and  nothing  instils 
such  habits  as  this. 

"  The  commissaries  are  to  the  army  what  the  special 
pleaders  are  to  the  bar,"  observed  my  friend  Power— 
"  dry  dogs  ;  not  over-creditable  on  the  whole,  but  devilish 
useful." 

The  Major  had  begun  life  a  two-bottle  man,  but  by  a 
studious  cultivation  of  his  natural  gifts,  and  a  steady 
determination  to  succeed,  he  had,  at  the  time  I  knew  him, 
attained  to  bis  fifth.  It  need  not  be  wondered  at,  then, 


MAJOR   MONSOON.  273 

that  his  countenance  bore  some  traces  of  his  habits.  It 
was  of  a  deep,  sunset  purple,  which,  becoming  tropical,  at 
the  tip  of  the  nose  verged  almost  upon  a  plum  colour  ;  his 
mouth  was  large,  thick-lipped,  and  good-humoured ;  his 
voice  rich,  mellow,  and  racy,  and  contributed,  with  the  aid 
of  a  certain  dry,  chuckling  laugh,  greatly  to  increase  the 
effect  of  the  stories  which  lie  was  ever  ready  to  recount , 
and,  as  they  most  frequently  bore  in  some  degree  against 
some  of  what  he  called  his  little  failings,  they  were  ever 
well  received,  no  man  being  so  popular  with  the  world  as 
he  who  flatters  its  vanity  at  his  ow*i  expense.  To  do  this 
the  Major  was  ever  ready,  but  at  no  time  more  so  than 
when  the  evening  wore  late,  and  the  last  bottle  of  his 
series  seemed  to  imply  that  any  caution  regarding  the 
nature  of  his  communication  was  perfectly  unnecessary. 
Indeed,  from  the  commencement  of  his  evening  to  the 
close,  he  seemed  to  pass  through  a  number  of  mental 
changes,  all  in  a  manner  preparing  him  for  this  final  con- 
summation, when  he  confessed  anything  and  everything ; 
and  so  well-regulated  had  these  stages  become,  that  a 
friend  dropping  in  upon  him  suddenly  could  at  once  pro- 
nounce, from  the  tone  of  his  conversation,  on  what  precise 
bottle  the  Major  was  then  engaged. 

Thus,  in  the  outset  he  was  gastronomic ;  discussed  the 
dinner,  from  the  soup  to  the  Stilton ;  criticised  the  cutlets ; 
pronounced  upon  the  merits  of  the  mutton;  and  threw  out 
certain  vague  hints  that  he  would  one  day  astonish  the 
world  by  a  little  volume  upon  cookery. 

With  bottle  No.  2  he  took  leave  of  the  cuisine,  and 
opened  his  battery  upon  the  wine.  Bordeaux,  Bur- 
gundy, hock,  and  hermitage,  all  passed  in  review  before 
him ;  their  flavour  discussed,  their  treatment  descanted 
upon,  their  virtues  extolled ;  from  humble  port  to  im- 
perial tokay,  he  was  thoroughly  conversant  with  all ; 
and  not  a  vintage  escaped  as  to  when  the  sun  had 
suffered  eclipse,  or  when  a  comet  had  wagged  his  tail 
over  it. 

With  No.  3  he  became  pipeclay ;  talked  army  list  and 
eighteen  manoeuvres ;  lamented  the  various  changes  in 
equipments  which  modern  innovation  had  introduced  ;  and 
feared  the  loss  of  pigtails  might  sap  the  military  spirit  of 
the  nation. 


274  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

With  No.  4  his  anecdotic  powers  came  into  play ;  he 
recounted  various  incidents  of  the  war,  with  his  own 
individual  adventures  and  experience,  told  with  an  honest 
naivete  that  proved  personal  vanity ;  indeed,  self-respect 
never  marred  the  interest  of  the  narrative  ;  besides,  as  he 
had  ever  regarded  a  campaign  something  in  the  light  of  a 
foray,  and  esteemed  war  as  little  else  than  a  pillage  excur- 
sion, his  sentiments  were  singularly  amusing. 

With  his  last  bottle,  those  feelings  that  seem  inevi- 
tably connected  with  whatever  is  last  appeared  to  steal  over 
him :  a  tinge  of  sadness  for  pleasures  fast  passing  and 
nearly  passed,  a  kind  of  retrospective  glance  at  the  fallacy 
of  all  our  earthly  enjoyments,  insensibly  suggesting  moral 
and  edifying  reflections,  led  him  by  degrees  to  confess 
that  he  was  not  quite  satisfied  with  himself,  though  "  not 
very  bad  for  a  commissary  ;  "  and,  finally,  as  the  decanter 
waxed  low,  he  would  interlard  his  meditations  by  passages 
of  Scripture,  singularly  perverted  by  his  misconception 
from  their  true  meaning,  and  alternately  throwing  out 
prospects  of  censure  or  approval.  Such  was  Major  Mon- 
soon ;  and  to  conclude  in  his  own  words  this  brief  sketch, 
he  "  would  have  been  an  excellent  officer  if  Providence 
had  not  made  him  sach  a  confounded  drunken  old 
scoundrel." 

"  Now,  then,  for  the  King  of  Spain's  story.  Out  with 
it,  old  boy  ;  we  are  all  good  men  and  true  here,"  cried 
Power,  as  we  slowly  came  along  upon  the  tide  up  the 
Tagus,  "  so  you've  nothing  to  fear." 

"  Upon  my  life,"  replied  the  Major,  **  I  don't  half  like 
the  tone  of  our  conversation.  There  is  a  certain  freedom 
young  men  affect  now-a-days  regarding  morals  that 
is  not  at  all  to  my  taste.  When  I  was  five  or  six  and 
twenty " 

"  Tou  were  the  greatest  scamp  in  the  service,"  cried 
Power. 

"  Fie,  fie,  Fred.  If  I  was  a  little  wild  or  so  "—here  the 
Major's  eyes  twinkled  maliciously — "it  was  the  ladies  that 
spoiled  me  ;  I  was  always  something  of  a  favourite,  just 
like  our  friend  Sparks  there.  Not  that  we  fared  very 
much  alike  in  our  little  adventures ;  for,  somehow,  I 
believe  I  was  generally  in  fault  in  most  of  mine,  as  many 
a  good  man  and  many  an  excellent  man  has  been  before." 


MAJOR  MONSOON.  275 

Here  his  voice  dropped  into  a  moralizing  key,  as  lie  added, 
"  David,  you  know,  didn't  behave  well  to  old  Uriah. 
TJ]>on  my  life  he  did  not,  and  he  was  a  very  respectable 
cian." 

"  The  King  of  Spain's  sherry !  the  sherry !  "  cried  I, 
fearing  that  the  Major's  digression  might  loose  us  a  good 
etory. 

"  You  shall  not  have  a  drop  of  it,"  replied  the  Major. 

"  But  the  story,  Major,  the  story." 

"  Nor  the  story,  either." 

"  What,"  said  Power,  "  will  you  break  faith  with 
us?" 

"  There's  none  to  be  kept  with  reprobates  like  you.  Fill 
my  glass/' 

"Hold  there!  stop!"  cried  Power.  "Not  a  spoonful 
till  he  redeems  his  pledge." 

"Well,  then,  if  you  must  have  a  story — for  most 
assuredly  I  must  drink — I  have  no  objection  to  give  you  a 
leaf  from  my  early  reminiscences ;  and,  in  compliment  to 
Sparks  there,  my  tale  shall  be  of  love." 

"  I  dinna  like  to  lose  the  King's  story.  I  hae  my 
thoughts  it  was  na  a  bad  ane." 

"  Nor  I  neither,  Doctor  ;  but *' 

"  Come,  come,  you  shall  have  that  too,  the  first  night 
we  meet  in  a  bivouac,  and,  as  I  fear  the  time  may  not  be 
very  far  distant,  don't  be  impatient ;  besides,  a  love- 
story  " 

"  Quite  true,"  said  Power  ;  "  a  love-story  claims  prece- 
dence :  place  aux  dames.  There's  a  bumper  for  you,  old 
Wickedness  ;  so  go  along." 

The  Major  cleared  off  his  glass,  refilled  it,  sipped  twice, 
and  ogled  it  as  though  he  would  have  no  peculiar  objection 
to  sip  once  more,  took  a  long  pinch  of  snuff  from  a  box 
nearly  as  long  as,  and  something  the  shape  of  a  child's 
coffin,  looked  around  to  see  that  we  were  all  attention,  and 
thus  began: 

"  When  I  have  been  in  a  moralizing  mood,  as  I  very 
frequently  am  about  this  hour  in  the  morning,  I  have  often 
felt  surprised  by  what  little,  trivial,  and  insignificant  cir- 
cumstances our  lot  in  life  seems  to  be  cast ;  I  mean  es- 
pecially as  regards  the  fair  sex.  You  are  prospering,  as  it 
were,  to  day;  to-morrow  a  new  cut  of  your  whiskers,  a 


CHARLES   0*MALLEY. 

novel  tie  of  your  cravat,  mars  your  destiny  and  spoils  your 
future  variwm  et  mutabile,  as  Horace  has  it.  On  the  other 
hand,  some  equally  slight  circumstance  will  do  what  all 
your  ingenuity  may  have  failed  to  affect.  I  knew  a  fellow 
who  married  the  greatest  fortune  in  Bath,  from  the  mere 
habit  he  had  of  squeezing  one's  hand.  The  lady  in  ques- 
tion thought  it  particular,  looked  conscious,  and  all  that ; 
he  followed  up  the  blow ;  and,  in  a  word,  they  were  mar- 
ried in  a  week.  So  a  friend  of  mine,  who  could  not  help 
winking  his  left  eye,  once  opened  a  flirtation  with  a  lively 
widow  which  cost  him  a  special  licence  and  a  settlement. 
In  fact,  you  are  never  sate.  They  are  like  the  guerillas, 
and  they  pick  yon  off  when  you  least  expect  it,  and  when 
you  think  there  is  nothing  to  fear.  Therefore,  as  young 
fellows  beginning  life,  I  would  caution  you.  On  this  head 
you  can  never  be  too  circumspect.  Do  you  know,  I  was 
once  nearly  caught  by  so  slight  a  habit  as  sitting  thus, 
with  my  legs  across." 

Here  the  Major  rested  his  right  foot  on  his  left  knee,  in 
illustration,  and  continued : 

"  We  were  quartered  in  Jamaica.  I  had  not  long  joined, 
and  was  about  as  raw  a  young  gentleman  as  you  could 
see ;  the  only  very  clear  ideas  in  my  head  being,  that  we 
were  monstrous  fine  fellows  in  the  50th,  and  that  the 
planters*  daughters  were  deplorably  in  love  with  us.  ^1  ot 
that  I  was  much  wrong  on  either  side.  For  brandy-and- 
water,  sangaree,  Manilla  cigars,  and  the  ladies  of  colour, 
I'd  have  backed  the  corps  against  the  service.  Proof  was, 
of  eighteen  only  two  ever  left  the  island  ;  for  what  with 
the  seductions  of  the  coffee  plantations,  the  sugar-canes, 
the  new  rum,  the  brown  skins,  the  rainy  season,  and  the 
yellow  fever,  most  of  us  settled  there. 

"  It's  very  hard  to  leave  the  West  Indies  if  once  you've 
been  quartered  there." 

"  So  I  have  heard,"  said  Power. 

"  In  fine,  if  you  don't  knock  under  to  the  climate,  you 
become  soon  totally  unfit  for  living  anywhere  else.  Pre- 
served ginger,  yams,  flannel  jackets,  and  grog  won't  bear 
exportation  ;  and  the  free-and-easy  chuck  under  the  chin, 
cherishing,  waist-pressing  kind  of  way  we  get  with  the 
ladies,  would  be  quite  misunderstood  in  less  favoured 
regions,  and  lead  to  very  unpleasant  consequences. 


MAJOB  MONSOON.  277 

"  It  is  a  curious  fact  how  much  climate  has  to  do  with 
love-making.  In  our  cold  country  the  progress  is  lament- 
ably slow :  fogs,  east  winds,  sleet-storms,  and  cutting 
March  weather,  nip  many  a  budding  flirtation ;  whereas 
warm,  sunny  days,  and  bright  moonlight  nights,  with 
genial  air  and  balmy  zephyrs,  open  the  heart,  like  the 
cup  of  a  camclia,  and  let  us  drink  in  the  soft  dew 
of " 

"  Devilish  poetical,  that !  "  said  Power,  evolving  a  long 
blue  line  of  smoke  from  the  corner  of  his  mouth. 

"  Isn't  it,  though  ?  "  said  the  Major,  smiling  graciously. 
"  'Pon  my  life,  I  thought  so  myself.  Where  was  I  ?  " 

"  Out  of  my  latitude  altogether,"  said  the  poor  Skip- 
per, who  often  found  it  hard  to  follow  the  thread  of  a 
Btory. 

"  Yes,  I  remember.  I  was  remarking  that  sangaree, 
and  calipash,  mangoes,  and  Guava  jelly,  dispose  the  heart 
to  love,  and  so  they  do.  I  was  no  more  than  six  wcoka 
in  Jamaica  when  I  felt  it  myself.  Now,  it  was  a  very  dan- 
gerous symptom,  if  you  had  it  strong  in  you,  for  this  rea- 
son. Our  colonel,  the  most  cross-grained  old  crabstick 
that  ever  breathed,  happened  himself  to  be  taken  in  when 
young,  and  resolving,  like  the  fox  who  lost  his  tail,  and 
said  it  was  not  the  fashion  to  wear  one,  to  pretend  he  did 
the  thing  for  fun,  resolved  to  make  every  fellow  marry 
upon  the  slightest  provocation.  Begad,  you  might  as 
well  enter  a  powder  magazine  with  a  branch  of  candles 
in  your  hand,  as  go  into  society  in  the  island  with  a  lean- 
ing towards  the  fair  sex.  Very  hard  this  was  for  me  par- 
ticularly :  for,  like  poor  Sparks  there,  my  weakness  was 
ever  for  the  petticoats.  I  had,  besides,  no  petty,  contemp- 
tible prejudices  as  to  nation,  habits,  language,  colour,  or 
complexion ;  black,  brown,  or  fair,  from  the  Muscovite  to 
the  Malabar,  from  the  voluptuous  embonpoint  of  the  Adju- 
tant's widow — don't  be  angry,  old  boy — to  the  fairy  form 
of  Isabella  herself,  I  loved  them  all  round.  But,  were  I 
to  give  a  preference  anywhere,  I  should  certainly  do  so  to 
the  West  Indians,  if  it  were  only  for  the  sake  of  the 
planters'  daughters.  I  say  it  fearlessly,  these  colonies  are 
the  brightest  jewels  in  the  crown.  Let's  drink  their 
health,  for  I'm  as  husky  as  a  lime-kiln." 

This  ceremony  being  performed  with  suitable  enthusiasm, 


278  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

the  Major  cried  out,  "  Another  cheer  for  Polly  Hackett, 
the  sweetest  girl  in  Jamaica.  By  Jove,  Power,  if  you  only 
saw  her,  as  I  did,  five-and-forty  years  ago,  with  eyes  black 
as  jet,  twinkling,  ogling,  leering,  teasing,  and  imploring, 
all  at  once,  do  you  mind,  and  a  monthftl  of  downright 
pearls  pouting  and  smiling  at  you,  why,  man,  you'd  have 
proposed  for  her  in  the  first  half-hour,  and  shot  yourself 
the  next,  when  she  refused  you.  She  was,  indeed,  a  per- 
fect little  beauty ;  ray  ther  dark,  to  be  sure;  a  little  upon 
the  rosewood  tinge,  but  beautifully  polished  and  a  very 
nice  piece  of  furniture  for  a  cottage  ornk  as  the  French  call 
it.  Alas,  alas !  how  these  vanities  do  catch  hold  of  us  ! 
My  recollections  have  made  me  quite  feverish  and  thirsty: 
is  there  any  cold  punch  in  the  bowl  ?  Thank  you,  O'Mal- 
ley,  that  will  do — merely  to  touch  my  lips.  Well,  well, 
it's  all  passed  and  gone  now.  But  I  was  very  fond  of 
Polly  Hackett,  and  she  was  of  me.  We  used  to  take  our 
little  evening  walks  together  through  the  coffee  planta- 
tion ;  very  romantic  little  strolls  they  were :  she  in  white 
muslin,  with  a  blue  sash  and  blue  shoes  ;  I  in  a  flannel 
jacket  and  trousers,  straw  hat  and  cravat ;  a  Virginia 
cigar,  as  long  as  a  walking-stick,  in  my  mouth,  puffing 
and  courting  between  times ;  then  we'd  take  a  turn  to  the 
refining-house,  look  in  at  the  big  boilers,  quiz  the  niggers, 
and  come  back  to  Twangberry  Moss  to  supper,  where  old 
Hackett,  the  father,  sported  a  glorious  table  at  eleven 
o'clock.  Great  feeding  it  was.  You  were  always  sure  of 
a  preserved  monkey,  a  baked  land-crab,  or  some  such  deli- 
cacy. And  such  Madeira !  it  makes  me  dry  to  think  of  it  I 
"  Talk  of  West  India  slavery,  indeed !  It's  the  only 
land  of  liberty.  There  is  nothing  to  compare  with  the 
perfect  free-and-easy,  devil-may-care-kind-of-a-take-your- 
self  way  that  every  one  has  there.  If  it  would  be  any 
peculiar  comfort  for  you  to  sit  in  the  saddle  of  mutton,  and 
put  your  legs  in  a  soup  tureen  at  dinner,  there  would  be 
found  very  few  to  object  to  it.  There  is  no  nonsense  of 
any  kind  about  etiquette.  You  eat,  drink,  and  are  merry, 
or,  if  you  prefer,  are  sad ;  just  as  you  please.  You  may 
wear  uniform,  or  you  may  not ;  it's  your  own  affair  ;  and, 
consequently,  it  may  be  imagined  how  insensibly  such 
privileges  gain  upon  one,  and  how  very  reluctant  we 
become  ever  to  resign  or  abandon  them. 


MAJOR    MONSOON.  279 

M  I  was  the  man  to  appreciate  it  all.  The  whole  course 
of  proceeding  seemed  to  have  been  invented  for  my  pecu- 
liar convenience,  and  not  a  man  in  the  island  enjoyed  a 
more  luxurious  existence  than  myself,  not  knowing  all  the 
while  how  dearly  I  was  destined  to  pay  for  my  little  com- 
forts. Among  my  plenary  after-dinner  indulgences  I  had 
contracted  an  inveterate  habit  of  sitting  cross-legged,  as 
I  showed  you.  Now,  this  was  become  a  perfect  necessity 
of  existence  to  me.  I  could  have  dispensed  with  cheese, 
with  my  glass  of  port,  my  pickled  mango,  my  olive,  my 
anchovy  toast,  my  nutshell  of  curagoa,  but  not  my 
favourite  lounge.  You  may  smile  ;  but  I've  read  of  a 
man  who  could  never  dance  except  in  a  room  with  an  old 
hair-brush.  Now  I'm  certain  my  stomach  would  not 
digest  if  my  legs  were  perpendicular.  I  don't  mean  to 
defend  the  thing.  The  attitude  was  not  graceful ;  it  was 
not  imposing  ;  but  it  suited  me  somehow,  and  I  liked  it. 

"  From  what  I  have  already  mentioned,  you  may  sup- 
pose that  West  India  habits  exercised  but  little  control 
over  my  favourite  practice,  which  I  indulged  in  every 
evening  of  my  life.  Well,  one  day,  old  Hackett  gave  us  a 
great  blow-out — a  dinner  of  two-and-twenty  souls;  six 
days'  notice ;  turtle  from  St.  Lucie,  guinea-fowl,  claret  of 
the  year  forty,  Madeira  d  discretion,  and  all  that.  Very 
well  done  the  whole  thing:  nothing  wrong,  nothing 
wanting.  As  for  me,  I  was  in  great  feather.  I  took  Polly 
in  to  dinner,  greatly  to  the  discomfiture  of  old  Belson,  our 
Major,  who  was  making  up  in  that  quarter ;  for,  you  must 
know,  she  was  an  only  daughter,  and  had  a  very  nice 
thing  of  it  in  molasses  and  niggers.  The  papa  preferred 
the  Major,  but  Polly  looked  sweetly  upon  me.  Well,  down 
we  went,  and  really  a  most  excellent  feed  we  had.  Now, 
I  must  mention  here  that  Polly  had  a  favourite  Blenheim 
spaniel  the  old  fellow  detested  :  it  was  always  tripping  him 
up  and  snarling  at  him ;  for  it  was,  except  to  herself,  a 
beast  of  rather  vicious  inclinations.  With  a  true  Jamaica 
taste,  it  was  her  pleasure  to  bring  the  animal  always  into 
the  dinner-room,  where,  if  papa  discovered  him,  there 
was  sure  to  be  a  row.  Servants  sent  in  one  direction  to 
hunt  him  out ;  others  endeavouring  to  hide  him,  and  so 
on  ;  in  fact,  a  tremendous  hubbub  always  followed  his  in- 
troduction and  accompanied  his  exit,  upon  which  occasions 


280  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

I  invariably  exercised  my  gallantry  by  protecting  the 
beast,  although  I  hated  him  like  the  devil  all  the  time. 

"  To  return  to  our  dinner.  After  two  mortal  hours  of 
hard  eating,  the  pace  began  to  slacken,  and,  as  evening 
closed  in,  a  sense  of  peaceful  repose  seemed  to  descend 
upon  our  labours.  Pastilles  shed  an  aromatic  vapour 
through  the  room.  The  well-iced  decanters  went  with 
measured  pace  along ;  conversation,  subdued  to  the  meri- 
dian of  after-dinner  comfort,  just  murmured ;  the  open 
jalousies  displayed  upon  the  broad  verandah  the  orange- 
tree  in  full  blossom,  slightly  stirring  with  the  cool  sea- 
breeze." 

"  And  the  piece  of  white  muslin  beside  you,  what  of 
her?" 

"  Looked  twenty  times  more  bewitching  than  ever. 
Well,  it  was  just  the  hour  when,  opening  the  last  two 
buttons  of  your  white  waistcoat  (remember  we  were  in 
Jamaica),  you  stretch  your  legs  to  the  full  extent,  throw 
your  arm  carelessly  over  the  back  of  your  chair,  look  con- 
templatively towards  the  ceiling,  and  wonder,  within  your- 
self, why  it  is  not  all  '  after  dinner '  in  this  same  world  of 
ours.  Such,  at  least,  were  my  reflections  as  I  assumed 
my  attitude  of  supreme  comfort,  and  inwardly  ejaculated 
a  health  to  Sneyd  and  Barton.  Just  at  this  moment  I 
heard  Polly's  voice  gently  whisper, — 

" '  Isn't  he  a  love  ?  isn't  he  a  darling  ?  ' 

"  '  Zounds ! '  thought  I,  as  a  pang  of  jealousy  shot 
through  my  heart,  '  is  it  the  Major  she  means  ?  '  for  old 
Belson,  with  his  bag  wig  and  rouged  cheeks,  was  seated 
on  the  other  side  of  her. 

"  *  What  a  dear  old  thing  it  is  ! '  said  Polly. 

"  'Worse  and  worse,'  said  I ;  'it  must  be  him.' 

" '  I  do  so  love  his  muzzy  face.' 

"  '  It  is  him ! '  said  I,  throwing  off  a  bumper,  and  almost 
boiling  over  with  passion  at  the  moment. 

"  '  I  wish  I  could  take  one  look  at  him,'  said  she,  laying 
down  her  head  as  she  spoke. 

"The  Major  whispered  something  in  her  ear,  to  which 
she  replied, — 

"  '  Oh !  I  dare  not;  papa  will  see  me  at  once.' 

" '  Don't  be  afraid,  madam,'  said  I,  fiercely  ;  '  your 
father  perfectly  approves  of  your  taste.' 


MAJOR    MONSOON.  281 

'* '  Are  you  sure  of  it,'  said  she,  giving  me  such  a  look. 

" '  T  know  it,'  said  I,  struggling  violently  with  my 
agitation. 

"  The  Major  leaned  over,  as  if  to  touch  her  hand  be- 
neath the  cloth.  I  almost  sprang  from  my  chair,  when 
Polly,  in  her  sweetest  accents,  said, — 

"  '  You  must  be  patient,  dear  thing,  or  you  may  bo 
found  out,  and  then  there  will  be  such  a  piece  of  work. 
Though  I'm  sure,  Major,  you  would  not  betray  me.'  The 
Major  smiled  till  he  cracked  the  paint  upon  his  cheeks. 
'  And  I  am  sure  that  Mr.  Monsoon ' 

"'You  may  rely  upon  me,'  said  I,  half  sneeringly. 

"  The  Major  and  I  exchanged  glances  of  defiance,  while 
Polly  continued, — 

" '  Now,  cmne,  don't  be  restless.  You  are  very  com- 
fortable there.  Isn't  he,  Major  ?  '  The  Major  smiled 
again  more  graciously  than  before,  as  he  added, — 

"  '  May  I  take  a  look  ?  ' 

"  '  Just  one  peep,  then,  no  more  ! '  said  she,  coquettishly ; 
'  poor  dear  Wowski  is  so  timid.' 

"  Scarcely  had  these  words  borne  balm  and  comfort  to 
my  heart — for  I  now  knew  that  to  the  dog,  and  not  to 
my  rival,  were  all  the  nattering  expressions  applied — • 
when  a  slight  scream  from  Polly,  and  a  tremendous  oath 
from  the  Major,  raised  me  from  my  dream  of  happiness. 

"  '  Take  your  foot  down,  sir.  Mr.  Monsoon,  how  could 
you  do  so  ?  '  cried  Polly. 

" '  What  the  devil,  sir,  do  you  mean  ?  '  shouted  the 
Major. 

"  '  Oh  I  I  shall  die  of  shame,'  sobbed  she. 

"  '  I'll  shoot  him  like  a  riddle,'  muttered  old  Belson. 

"  By  this  time  the  whole  table  had  got  at  the  story, 
and  such  peals  of  laughter,  mingled  with  suggestions 
for  my  personal  maltreatment,  I  never  heard.  All  my 
attempts  at  explanation  were  in  vain.  I  was  not  listened 
to,  much  less  believed,  and  the  old  colonel  finished  the 
scene  by  ordering  me  to  my  quarters,  in  a  voice  I  shall 
never  forget,  the  whole  room  being,  at  the  time  I  made 
my  exit,  one  scene  of  tumultuous  laughter  from  one  end 
to  the  other.  Jamaica  after  this  became  too  hot  for  me. 
The  story  was  repeated  on  every  side  ;  for,  it  seems,  I  had 
been  sitting  with  my  foot  on  Polly's  lap ;  but,  so  occupied 


282  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

was  I  with  my  jealous  vigilance  of  the  Major,  1  was  not 
aware  of  the  fact  until  she  herself  discovered  it. 

"  I  need  not  say  how  the  following  morning  brought 
with  it  every  possible  offer  of  amende  upon  my  part ;  any- 
thing, from  a  written  apology  to  a  proposition  to  marry 
the  lady,  I  was  ready  for,  and  how  the  matter  might  have 
ended  I  know  not;  for,  in  the  middle  of  the  negoti- 
ations, we  were  ordered  off  to  Halifax,  where,  be  assured, 
I  abandoned  my  oriental  attitude  for  many  a  long  day 
after/* 


CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

THE    LANDING. 

WHAT  a  contrast  to  the  dull  monotony  of  our  life  at  sea 
did  the  scene  present  which  awaited  us  on  landing  in 
Lisbon.  The  whole  quay  was  crowded  with  hundreds  of 
people  eagerly  watching  the  vessel  which  bore  from  her 
mast  the  broad  ensign  of  Britain.  Dark-featured,  swarthy, 
moustached  faces,  with  red  caps  rakishly  set  on  one  side, 
mingled  with  the  Saxon  faces  and  fair-haired  natives  of 
our  own  country.  Men-of-war  boats  plied  unceasingly  to 
and  fro  across  the  tranquil  river,  some  slender  reefer  in 
the  stern-sheets  ;  while  behind  him  trailed  the  red  pennon 
of  some  "  tall  admiral." 

The  din  and  clamour  of  a  mighty  city  mingled  with  the 
far-off  sounds  of  military  music:  and  in  the  vistas  of 
the  opening-  street  masses  of  troops  might  be  seen,  in 
marching  order;  and  all  betokened  the  near  approach 
of  war. 

Our  anchor  had  scarcely  been  dropped,  when  an  eights 
oar  gig,  with  a  midshipman  steering,  came  alongside, 

"  Ship  ahoy,  there !     You've  troops  on  board  f  " 

**  Ay,  ay,  sir." 


THE    LANDING.  283 

Before  the  answer  could  be  spoken,  he  was  on  the 
deck. 

"  May  I  ask,"  said  he,  touching  his  cap  slightly,  "  who 
is  the  officer  in  command  of  the  detachment  ?  " 

"  Captain  Power :  very  much  at  your  service,"  said 
Fred,  returning  the  salute. 

"  Rear-Admiral  Sir  Edward  Douglas  requests  that  you 
will  do  him  the  favour  to  come  on  board  immediately,  and 
bring  your  despatches  with  you." 

"  I'm  quite  ready,"  said  Power,  as  he  placed  his  papers 
in  his  sabretasche ;  "  but  first  tell  us  what's  doing  here. 
Anything  new  lately  ?  " 

"  I  have  heard  nothing,  except  of  some  affair  with  the 
Portuguese  ;  they've  been  drubbed  again  ;  but  our  people 
have  not  been  engaged.  I  say,  we  had  better  get  under 
way ;  there's  our  first  lieutenant,  with  his  telescope  up  ; 
he's  looking  straight  at  us.  So,  come  along.  Good 
evening,  gentlemen."  And  in  another  moment  the  sharp 
craft  was  cutting  the  clear  water,  while  Power  gaily  waved 
us  a  good-bye. 

'*  Who's  for  shore  ?  "  said  the  Skipper,  as  half  a  dozen 
boats  swarmed  around  the  side,  or  held  on  by  their  boat- 
hooks  to  the  rigging. 

"Who  is  not'r"'  said  Monsoon,  who  now  appeared  in 
his  old  blue  frock  covered  with  tarnished  braiding,  and  a 
cocked  hat  that  might  have  roofed  a  pagoda.  "  Who  is 
not,  my  old  boy  ?  Is  not  every  man  amongst  us  delighted 
with  the  prospect  of  fresh  prog,  cool  wine,  and  a  bed 
somewhat  longer  than  four  feet  six  ?  I  say,  O'Malley ! 
Sparks !  Where's  the  Adjutant  ?  Ah,  there  he  is !  We'll 
not  mind  the  Doctor  ;  he's  a  very  jovial  little  fellow,  but 
a  damned  bore,  entre  nous ;  and  we'll  have  a  cosy  little 
supper  at  the  Kua  di  Toledo.  I  know  the  place  well. 
Whew,  now !  Get  away,  boy.  Sit  steady,  Sparks  ;  she's 
only  a  cockle-shell.  There  —  that's  the  Plaza  de  la 
Regna— there,  to  the  left.  There's  the  great  cathedral — 
you  can't  see  it  now.  Anothsr  sevejity-four !  why,  there's 
a  whole  fleet  here  !  I  wish  old  Power  joy  of  his  afternoon 
with  old  Douglas." 

"  Do  you  know  him,  then,  Major  P  " 

"  Do  I ! — I  should  rather  think  I  do.  He  was  going  to 
put  me  in  irons  here  in  this  river  once.  A  great  shame  it 


284  THAKLES  O'MALLEY. 

was  ;  but  I'll  tell  you  the  story  another  time.  There— 
gently  now  ;  that's  it.  Thank  God  !  once  more  upon  land. 
How  J.  do  hate  a  ship  :  upon  my  life,  a  sauce-boat  is  the 
only  boat  endurable  in  this  world." 

We  edged  our  way  with  difficulty  through  the  dense 
crowd,  and  at  last  reached  the  Plaza.  Here  the  numbers 
were  still  greater,  but  of  a  different  class  :  several  pretty 
and  well-dressed  women,  with  their  dark  eyes  twinkling 
above  their  black  mantillas,  as  they  held  them  across  their 
faces,  watched  with  an  intense  curiosity  one  of  the  streets 
that  opened  upon  the  square. 

In  a  few  moments  the  band  of  a  regiment  was  heard, 
and  very  shortly  after  the  regular  tramp  of  troops  fol- 
lowed, as  the  87th  marched  into  the  Plaza,  and  formed 
a  line. 

The  music  ceased  ;  the  drums  rolled  along  the  line ;  and 
the  next  moment  all  was  still.  It  was  really  an  inspiriting 
sight  to  one  whose  heart  was  interested  in  the  career,  to 
see  those  gallant  fellows,  as,  with  their  bronzed  faces  and 
stalwart  frames,  they  stood  motionless  as  a  rock.  All  con- 
tinued to  look,  the  band  marched  into  the  middle  of  the 
square,  and  struck  up  "  Garry  owen."  Scarcely  was  the 
first  part  played,  when  a  tremendous  cheer  burst  from  the 
troop-ship  in  the  river.  The  welcome  notes  had  reached 
the  poor  fellows  there ;  the  well-known  sounds,  that  told 
of  home  and  country,  met  their  ears ;  and  the  loud  cry 
of  recognition  bespoke  their  hearts'  fulness. 

"  There  they  go.  Your  wild  countrymen  have  heard 
their  lianz  des  vaches,  it  seems.  Lord !  how  they  fright- 
ened the  poor  Portuguese  !  look  how  they're  running  \ " 

Such  was  actually  the  case.  The  loud  cheer  uttered 
from  the  river  was  taken  up  by  others  straggling  on  shore, 
and  one  universal  shout  betokened  that  fully  one-third  of 
the  red-coats  around  came  from  the  dear  island,  and  in 
their  enthusiasm  had  terrified  the  natives  to  no  small  extent. 

"  Is  not  that  Ferguson  there?"  cried  the  Major,  as  an 
officer  passed  us  with  his  arm  in  a  sling.  "  I  say,  Joe — 
Ferguson !  oh  !  knew  it  was." 

"  Monsoon,  my  hearty,  how  goes  it  ? — only  just  arrived, 
I  see  ; — delighted  to  meet  you  out  here  once  more.  Why, 
we've  bei'E.  dull  as  a  veteran  battalion  withoiit  you.  These 
your  friends  ?  pray  present  me."  The  ceremony  of  intro- 


THE    LANDING.  285 

duction  over,  the  Major  invited  Ferguson  to  join  our  party 
at  supper.  "No,  not  to-night,  Major,"  said  he,  "you 
must  be  my  guests  this  evening.  My  quarters  are  not 
five  minutes'  walk  from  this — I  shall  not  promise  yon  very 
luxurious  fare." 

"A  carbonado  with  olives,  a  roast  duck,  a  bowl  of 
bishop,  and,  if  you  will,  a  few  bottles  of  Burgundy,"  said 
the  Major ;  "  don't  put  yourself  out  for  us — soldier's  fare, 
eh?" 

I  could  not  help  smiling  at  the  naive  notion  of  simpli- 
city so  cunningly  suggested  by  old  Monsoon.  As  I  followed 
the  party  through  the  streets,  my  step  was  light,  my  heart 
not  less  so  ;  for  what  sensations  are  more  delightful  than 
those  of  landing  after  a  voyage? — the  escape  from  the 
durance  vile  of  shipboard,  with  its  monotonous  days  and 
dreary  nights,  its  ill-regulated  appointments,  its  cramped 
accommodations,  its  uncertain  duration,  its  eternal  round 
of  unchanging  amusements,  for  the  freedom  of  the  shore, 
with  a  land  breeze,  and  a  firm  footing  to  tread  upon  ; 
and,  certainly,  not  least  of  all,  the  sight  of  that  brightest 
part  of  creation,  whose  soft  eyes  and  tight  ancles  are, 
perhaps,  the  greatest  of  all  imaginable  pleasures  to  him 
who  has  been  the  dweller  on  blue  water  for  several  weeks 
long. 

"  Here  we  are,"  cried  out  Ferguson,  as  we  stopped  at 
the  door  of  a  large  and  handsome  house.  We  followed 
up  a  spacious  stair  into  an  ample  room,  sparingly,  but  uot 
uncomfortably  furnished ;  plans  of  sieges,  maps  of  the 
seat  of  war,  pistols,  sabres,  and  belts,  decorated  the  white 
walls,  and  a  few  books,  and  a  stray  army-list,  betokened  the 
habits  of  the  occupant. 

While  Ferguson  disappeared  to  make  some  prepara- 
tions for  supper,  Monsoon  commenced  a  congratulation  to 
the  party  upon  the  good  fortune  that  had  befallen  them. 
"  Capital  fellow  is  Joe — never  without  something  good, 
and  a  rare  one  to  pass  the  bottle.  Oh !  here  he  comes. 
Be  alive  there,  Sparks ;  take  a  corner  of  the  cloth  ;  how 
deliciously  juicy  that  ham  looks ;  pass  the  Madeira  down 
there;  what's  under  that  cover  —  stewed  kidneys?" 
While  Monsoon  went  on  thus  we  took  our  places  at  table, 
and  set  to  with  an  appetite  which  only  a  newly-landed 
traveller  ever  knows. 


286  CHARLES  O'MALLET. 

"  Another  spoonful  of  the  gravy  ?  Thank  you.  And 
BO  they  say  we've  not  been  faring  over  well  latterly  ?  " 
said  the  Major. — "  Not  a  word  of  truth  in  the  report.  Our 
people  have  not  been  engaged.  The  only  thing  lately  was 
a  smart  brush  we  had  at  the  Tamega.  Poor  Patrick,  a 
countryman  of  ours,  and  myself  were  serving  with  the 
Portuguese  brigade,  when  Laborde  drove  us  back  upon  the 
town,  and  actually  routed  us.  The  Portuguese  general, 
caring  little  for  anything  save  his  own  safety,  was  making 
at  once  for  the  mountains,  when  Patrick  called  upon  his 
battalion  to  face  about  and  charge  ;  and  nobly  they  did  it, 
too.  Down  they  came  upon  the  advancing  masses  of  the 
French,  and  literally  hurled  them  back  upon  the  main 
body.  The  other  regiments,  seeing  this  gallant  stand, 
wheeled  about,  and  poured  in  a  volley,  and  then,  fixing 
bayonets,  stormed  a  little  mount  beside  the  hedge,  which 
commanded  the  whole  suburb  of  Villa  Eeal.  The  French, 
who  soon  recovered  their  order,  now  prepared  for  a  second 
attack,  and  came  on  in  two  dense  columns,  when  Patrick, 
who  had  little  confidence  in  the  steadiness  of  his  people, 
for  any  lengthened  resistance,  resolved  upon  once  more 
charging  with  the  bayonet.  The  order  was  scarcely  given 
when  the  French  were  upon  us ;  their  flank,  defended  by 
some  of  La  Houssaye's  heavy  dragoons.  For  an  instant 
the  conflict  was  doubtful,  until  poor  Patrick  fell  mortally 
wounded  upon  the  parapet;  when  the  men,  no  longer 
hearing  his  bold  cheer,  nor  seeing  his  noble  figure  in  the 
advance,  turned  and  fled,  pell-mell,  back  upon  the  town. 
As  for  me,  blocked  up  amid  the  mass,  I  was  cut  down 
from  the  shoulder  to  the  elbow  by  a  young  fellow  of  about 
sixteen,  who  galloped  about  like  a  schoolboy  on  a  holiday. 
The  wound  was  only  dangerous  from  the  loss  of  blood, 
and  so  I  contrived  to  reach  Amacante  without  much 
difficulty;  from  whence,  with  three  or  four  others,  I  was 
ordered  here  until  fit  for  service." 

"  Bat  what  news  from  our  own  head-quarters  ? " 
inquired  I. 

"  All  imaginable  kind  of  rumours  are  afloat.  Some 
Bay  that  Craddock  is  retiring ;  others,  that  a  part  of  the 
army  is  in  motion  upon  Caldas." 

"  Then  we  are  not  going  to  have  a  very  long  sojourn 
here  after  all,  eh,  Major  ?  Donna  Maria  de  Tormes 


THE   LANDING.  287 

be  inconsolable.  By  the  bye,  their  house  is  just  oppo- 
site us.  Have  you  never  heard  Monsoon  mention  his 
friends  there  ?  " 

"  Come,  come,  Joe,  how  can  you  be  so  foolish?" 

"  But,  Major,  my  dear  friend,  what  signifies  your  mo- 
desty ?  there  is  not  a  man  in  the  service  does  not  know  it, 
save  those  in  the  last  Gazette." 

"  Indeed,  Joe,  I  am  very  angry  with  you." 

"Well  then,  by  Jove !  I  must  tell  it  myself;  though, 
faith,  lads,  you  lose  not  a  little  for  want  of  Monsoon's 
tact  in  the  narrative." 

"  Anything  is  better  than  trusting  to  such  a  biographer," 
cried  the  Major  ;  "  so  here  goes : 

"When  I  was  Acting  Commissary  -  General  to  the 
Portuguese  forces,  some  few  years  ago,  I  obtained  great 
experience  of  the  habits  of  the  people ;  for  though  natur- 
ally of  an  unsuspecting  temperament  myself,  I  generally 
contrive  to  pick  out  the  little  foibles  of  my  associates, 
even  upon  a  short  acquaintance.  Now,  my  appointment 
pleased  rne  very  much  on  this  score  ;  it  gave  me  little 
opportunities  of  examining  the  world.  '  The  greatest 
study  of  mankind  is  man' — Sparks  would  say  woman — 
but  no  matter. 

"  Now,  I  soon  discovered  that  our  ancient  and  very 
excellent  allies,  the  Portuguese,  with  a  beautiful  climate, 
delicious  wines,  and  very  delightful  wives  arid  daughters, 
were  the  most  infernal  rogues  and  scoundrels  ever  met 
with.  'Make  yourself  thoroughly  acquainted  with  the 
leading  features  of  the  natives,'  said  old  Sir  Harry  to  me, 
in  a  despatch  from  head-quarters ;  and,  faith,  it  was  not 
difficult ;  such  open,  palpable,  undisguised  rascals  never 
were  heard  of.  I  thought  I  knew  a  thing  or  two  myself, 
when  I  landed ;  but,  Lord  love  you  !  I  was  a  babe  ;  I  was 
an  infant  in  swaddling  clothes,  compared  with  them  ;  and 
they  humbugged  me, — ay,  met — till  I  began  to  suspect 
that  I  was  only  walking  in  my  sleep 

"  'Why,  Monsoon,'  said  the  General,  'they  told  me  you 
were  a  sharp  fellow,  and  yet  the  people  here  seem  to  work 
round  you  every  day.  This  will  never  do.  You  must 
brighten  up  a  little,  or  1  shall  be  obliged  to  send  you  buck.' 

" '  General,'  said  I,  '  they  used  to  call  me  no  fool  in 
England,  but,  somehow,  here ' 


288  CHARLES  O'MALLBY. 

" '  I  understand,'  said  he,  *  you  don't  know  the  Portu- 
guese;  there's  but  one  way  with  them — strike  quickly, 
and  strike  home.  Never  give  them  time  for  roguery  ;  for, 
if  they  have  a  moment's  reflection,  they'll  cheat  the  devil 
himself;  but,  when  you  see  the  plot  working,  come  slap 
down  and  decide  the  thing  your  own  way.' 

"  Well,  now,  there  never  was  anything  so  true  as  this 
advice,  and,  for  the  eighteen  months  I  acted  upon  it,  I 
never  knew  it  fail. 

" '  I  want  a  thousand  measures  of  wheat.' 

" '  Senhor  Excellenza,  the  crops  have  been  miserably 
deficient,  and ' 

"  '  Sergeant-major,'  I  would  say,  '  these  poor  people 
have  no  corn;  it's  a  wine  country;  let  them  make  up 
the  rations  that  way.' 

"  The  wheat  came  in  that  evening. 

"  '  One  hundred  and  twenty  bullocks  wanted  for  the  re- 
serve.' 

"  *  The  cattle  are  all  up  the  mountains.' 

"  *  Let  the  alcalde  catch  them  before  night,  or  I'll  catch 
MM.' 

"  Lord  bless  you  !  I  had  beef  enough  to  feed  the  Penin- 
sula. And  in  this  way,  while  the  forces  were  eating  short 
allowance  and  half-rations  elsewhere,  our  brigade  were 
plump  as  aldermen. 

"  When  we  lay  in  Andalusia  this  was  easy  enough. 
What  a  country  to  be  sure !  Such  vineyards,  such  gardens, 
such  delicious  valleys,  waving  with  corn,  and  fat  with 
olives  ;  actually  it  seemed  a  kind  of  dispensation  of  Pro- 
vidence to  make  war  in.  There  was  everything  you  could 
desire ;  and,  then,  the  people,  like  all  your  wealthy  ones, 
were  so  timid,  and  so  easily  frightened,  you  could  get  what 
you  pleased  out  of  them  by  a  little  terror.  My  scouts 
managed  this  very  well. 

**  *  He  is  coming,'  they  would  say,  '  after  to-morrow.' 

"'Madre  de  Dios!' 

"'I  hope  he  won't  burn  the  village.' 

" '  Questos  infernales  Ingleses  /  how  wicked  they  are.' 

" '  You'd  better  try  what  a  sack  of  moidores  or  doub- 
loons might  do  with  him  ;  he  may  refuse  them,  but  make 
the  effort.' 

"  Ha  I "  said  the  Major,  with  a  long-drawn  sigh,  "  those 


THE   LANDING.  283 

were  pleasant  times  ;  alas  !  that  they  should  ever  come  to 
an  end.  Well,  among  the  old  hidalgos  I  met  there  waa 
one  Don  Emanuel  Selvio  de  Tonnes,  an  awful  old  miser, 
rich  as  Croesus,  and  suspicions  as  the  arch-fiend  himself. 
Lord,  how  I  melted  him  down  !  1  quartered  two  squadrons 
of  horse  and  a  troop  of  flying  artillery  upon  him.  How 
the  fellows  did  eat!  such  a  consumption  of  wines  was 
never  heard  of ;  and,  as  they  began  to  slacken  a  little,  I 
took  care  to  replace  them  by  fresh  arrivals — fellows  from 
the  mountains — cnqidores  they  call  them.  At  last,  my 
friend  Don  Emanuel  could  stand  it  no  longer,  and  he  sent 
me  a  diplomatic  envoy  to  negotiate  terms,  which,  upon  the 
whole,  I  must  say,  were  fair  enough,  and,  in  a  few  days 
after,  the  ca^adorf.s  were  withdrawn,  and  I  took  up  my 
quarters  at  the  chateau.  I  have  had  various  chances  and 
changes  in  this  wicked  world,  but  I  am  free  to  confess  that 
I  never  passed  a  more  agreeable  time  than  the  seven  weeks 
I  spent  there.  Don  Emanuel,  when  properly  managed, 
became  a  very  pleasant  little  fellow  :  Donna  Maria,  his 
wife,  was  a  sweet  creature.  You  need  not  be  winking 
that  way.  Upon  my  life,  she  was  ;  rather  fat,  to  be  sure, 
and  her  age  something  verging  upon  the  fifties ;  but  she 
iad  such  eyes,  black  as  sloes,  and  luscious  as  ripe  grapes  ; 
and  she  was  always  smiling,  and  ogling,  and  looking  so 
sweet.  Confound  me,  if  I  think  she  wasn't  the  most  en- 
chanting being  in  this  world,  with  about  ten  thousand 
pounds'  worth  of  jewels  upon  her  fingers  and  in  her  ears. 
I  have  her  before  me  at  this  instant,  as  she  used  to  sit  in 
the  little  arbour  in  the  garden,  with  a  Manilla  cigar  in  her 
mouth,  and  a  little  brandy -and-water — quite  weak,  you 
know  -beside  her. 

"  '  Ah  !  General/  she  used  to  say — she  always  called  me 
General — *  what  a  glorious  career  yours  is  !  A  soldier  is 
indeed  a  man.' 

"  Then  she  would  look  at  poor  Emanuel,  who  used  ta 
sit  in  a  corner,  holding  his  hand  to  his  face,  for  hours, 
calculating  interest  and  cent,  per  cent.,  till  he  fell 
asleep. 

"  Now,  he  laboured  under  a  very  singular  malady — not 
that  I  ever  knew  it  at  the  time — a  kind  of  luxation  of  tha 
lower  jaw,  which,  when  it  came  on,  happened  somehow  tc 
•/ress  upon  some  vital  nerve  or  other,  and  left  him  per 


290  CHARLES  O'MALLET. 

fectly  paralyzed  till  it  was  restored  to  its  proper  place.  In 
fact,  during  the  time  the  agony  lasted,  he  was  like  one 
in  a  trance ;  for  though  he  could  see  and  hear,  he  could 
neither  speak  nor  move,  and  looked  as  if  he  had  doue  with 
both  for  many  a  day  to  come. 

"  Well,  as  I  was  saying,  I  knew  nothing  of  all  this,  till 
a  slight  circumstance  made  it  known  to  me.  I  was  seated 
one  evening  in  the  little  arbour  I  mentioned  with  Donna 
Maria.  There  was  a  little  table  before  us,  covered  witii 
wines  and  fruits,  a  dish  of  olives,  some  Castile  oranges, 
and  a  fresh  pine.  I  remember  it  well :  my  eye  roved  over 
the  little  dessert,  set  out  in  old-fashioned,  rich  silver  dishes, 
then  turned  towards  the  lady  herself,  with  rings  and 
brooches,  earrings,  and  chains  enough  to  reward  one  for 
sacking  a  town  ;  and  I  said  to  myself,  *  Monsoon,  Mon- 
soon, this  is  better  than  long  marches  in  the  Pyrenees, 
with  a  cork-tree  for  a  bed-curtain,  and  wet  grass  for  a 
mattress.  How  pleasantly  one  might  jog  on  in  this  world 
with  this  little  country-house  for  his  abode,  and  Donna 
Maria  for  a  companion ! ' 

"  I  tasted  the  port — it  was  delicious.  Now,  I  knew 
very  little  Portuguese,  but  I  made  some  effort  to  ask  if 
there  was  much  of  it  in  the  cellar. 

"  She  smiled,  and  said,  '  Oh !  yes.' 

*' '  What  a  luxurious  life  one  might  lead  here  ! *  thought 
I ;  '  and,  after  all,  perhaps  Providence  might  remove  Don 
Emanuel.' 

"  I  finished  the  bottle  as  I  thus  meditated.  The  next 
was,  if  possible,  more  crusty. 

"  '  This  is  a  delicious  retreat,'  said  I,  soliloquizing. 

"  Donna  Maria  seemed  to  know  what  was  passing  in  my 
mind,  for  she  smiled  too. 

"  '  Yes,'  said  I,  in  broken  Portuguese,  '  one  ought  to  be 
very  happy  here,  Donna  Maria.' 

"  She  blushed,  and  I  continued  : 

"  '  What  can  one  want  for  more  in  this  life  ? — all  the 
charms  that  rendered  Paradise  what  it  was ' — I  took  her 
hand  here — '  and  made  Adam  blessed.' 

"  *  Ah,  General !  '  said  she,  with  a  sigh,  '  you  are  such  a 
flatterei*.' 

"'Who  could  flatter,'  said  I,  with  enthusiasm,  'when 
there  are  not  words  enough  to  express  what  he  feels?' 


THE    LANDING.  291 

This  was  true,  for  my  Portuguese  was  fast  failing  me. 
'  But  if  I  ever  was  happy,  it  is  now.' 

"  I  took  another  pull  at  the  port. 

'"If  I  only  thought,'  said  I, '  that  my  presence  here  was 
not  thought  unwelcome ' 

" '  Fie,  General,'  said  she,  '  how  could  you  say  such  a 
thing?' 

'"If  I  only  thought  I  was  not  hated,'  said  I,  tremb- 
lingly. 

"  *  Oh  ! '  said  she  again, 

" '  Despised.' 

" « Oh  ! ' 

" '  Loathed.' 

"  She  pressed  my  hand — I  kissed  hers ;  she  hurriedly 
snatched  it  from  me,  and  pointed  towards  a  lime-tree  near, 
beneath  whi<ib,  in  the  cool  enjoyment  of  his  cigar,  sat  the 
spare  and  detested  figure  of  Don  Enianuel. 

"  '  Yes,'  thought  I,  '  there  he  is — the  only  bar  to  my  good 
fortune  ;  were  it  not  for  him,  I  should  not  be  long  before  I 
became  possessor  of  this  excellent  old  chateau,  with  a  most 
indiscretionary  power  over  the  cellar.  Den  Mauricius  Mon- 
soon would  speedily  assume  his  place  among  the  grandees 
of  Portugal.' 

"  I  know  not  how  long  my  reverie  lasted,  nor,  indeed, 
how  the  evening  passed  ;  but  I  remember  well  the  moon 
was  up,  and  a  sky  bright  with  a  thousand  stars  was  shin- 
ing, as  I  sat  beside  the  fair  Donna  Maria,  endeavouring, 
with  such  Portuguese  as  it  had  pleased  fate  to  bestow  on 
me,  to  instruct  her  touching  my  warlike  services  and  deeds 
of  arms.  The  fourth  bottle  of  port  was  ebbing  beneath  my 
eloquence,  as  responsively  her  heart  beat,  when  I  heard  a 
slight  rustle  in  the  branches  near.  I  looked,  and,  Heavens, 
what  a  sight  did  I  behold  !  There  was  little  Don  Emanuel 
stretched  upon  the  grass,  with  his  mouth  wide  open,  his 
face  pale  as  death,  his  arms  stretched  out  at  either  side, 
and  his  legs  stiffened  straight  out.  I  ran  over  and  asked 
if  he  were  ill,  but  no  answer  came.  I  lifted  up  an  arm, 
but  it  fell  heavily  upon  the  ground  as  I  let  it  go  ;  the  leg 
did  likewise.  1  touched  his  nose — it  was  cold. 

"  *  Hollo,'  thought  I,  '  is  it  so  ?  This  comes  of  mixing 
water  with  your  sherry.  I  saw  where  it  would  end.' 

"  Now,  upon  my  lite,  I  felt  sorry  for  the  little   fellow ; 


292  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

but,  somehow,  one  gets  so  familiarized  with  this  sort  of  thing 
in  a  campaign,  that  one  only  half  feels  in  a  case  like  this. 

'• '  Yes,'  said  I ;  *  man  is  but  grass  ;  but  I,  for  one,  must 
make  hay  when  the  sun  shines.  Now  for  the  Donna  Maria,' 
for  the  poor  thing  was  asleep  in  the  arbour  all  this  while. 

" '  Donna,'  said  I,  shaking  her  by  the  elbow, — '  Donna, 
don't  be  shocked  at  what  I'm  going  to  say.' 

"  'Ah  !  General,'  said  she,  with  a  sigh,  '  say  no  more  ;  I 
must  not  listen  to  you.' 

" '  You  don't  know  that,'  said  I,  with  a  knowing  look, — 
'you  don't  know  that.' 

"  'Why,  what  can  you  mean  ?  ' 

"  '  The  little  fellow  is  done  for  ; '  for  the  port  was  work- 
ing strong  now,  and  destroyed  all  my  fine  sensibility. 
'  Yes,  Donna,'  said  I,  '  you  are  free,' — here  I  threw  myself 
upon  my  knees, — '  free  to  make  me  the  happiest  of  com- 
missaries and  the  jolliest  grandee  of  Portugal  that 
ever * 

"  '  But  Don  Emanuel  ?  ' 

" '  Run  out — dry — empty,'  inverting  a  finished  decanter, 
to  typify  my  words  as  I  spoke. 

"  '  He  is  not  dead  ?  '  said  she,  with  a  scream. 

" '  Even  so,'  said  I,  with  a  hiccup  ;  '  ordered  for  service 
in  a  better  world,  where  there  are  neither  inspections  nor 
arrears.' 

"  Before  the  words  were  well  out,  she  sprang  from  the 
bench,  and  rushed  over  to  the  spot  where  the  little  Don  lay. 
What  she  said  or  did  I  know  not,  but  the  next  moment  he 
sat  bolt  upright  on  the  grass,  and,  as  he  held  his  jaw  with 
one  hand  and  supported  himself  on  the  other,  vented  such 
a  torrent  of  abuse  and  insult  at  me,  that,  for  want  of 
Portuguese  enough  to  reply,  I  rejoined  in  English,  in  which 
I  swore  pretty  roundly  for  five  minutes.  Meanwhile,  the 
Donna  had  summoned  the  servants,  who  removed  Don 
Emanuel  to  the  house  ;  where,  on  my  return,  I  found  my 
luggage  displayed  before  the  door,  with  a  civil  hint  to 
deploy  in  orderly  time,  and  take  ground  elsewhere. 

"  In  a  few  days,  however,  his  anger  cooled  down,  and  I 
received  a  polite  note  from  Donna  Maria,  that  the  Don  at 
length  began  to  understand  the  joke,  and  begged  that  I 
would  return  to  the  chateau,  and  that  he  would  expect  me 
at  dinner  the  same  day." 


THE   LANDING.  293 

"  With  which,  of  course,  you  complied  ?  " 

"Which  of  course  I  did.     Forgive  your    enemies,  my 

dear  boy ;  it  is  only  Christian-like  ;  arid  really,   we   lived 

very  happily  ever  after:  the  Donna  was  a  mighty  clever 

woman,  and  a  dear  good  soul  besides." 

It  was  late  when  the  Major  concluded  his  story ;  so, 

after  wishing  Ferguson  a  good  night,  we  took  our  leave, 

and  retired  for  the  night  to  our  quarters. 


CHAPTER  XXXVIL 


THE  tramp  of  horses'  feet  and  the  sound  of  voices  beneath 
my  window  roused  me  from  a  deep  sleep.  I  sprang  up, 
and  drew  aside  the  curtain.  What  a  strange  confusion 
beset  me  as  I  looked  forth !  Before  me  lay  a  broad  and 
tranquil  river,  whose  opposite  shore,  deeply  wooded,  and 
studded  with  villas  and  cottages,  rose  abruptly  iroru  tbe 
water's  edge ;  vessels  of  war  lay  tranquilly  in  the  stream, 
their  pennants  trailing  in  the  tide.  The  loud  boom  of  a 
morning  gun  rolled  along  the  surface,  awaking  a  hundred 
echoes  as  it  passed,  and  the  lazy  smoke  rested  for  some 
minutes  on  the  glassy  water  as  it  blended  with  the  thin  air 
of  the  morning. 

"  Where  am  I  ?  "  was  my  first  question  to  myself,  as  I 
continued  to  look  from  side  to  side,  unable  to  collect  my 
scattered  senses. 

One  word  sufficed  to  recall  me  to  myself,  as  I  heard 
Power's  voice  from  without,  call  out, — 

"  Charley!  O'Malley,  I  say  !     Come  down  here!" 

I  hurriedly  threw  on  my  clothes,  and  went  to  the  door. 


294  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

*'  Well,  Charley !  I've  been  put  in  harness  rather  sooner 
than  I  expected.  Here's  old  Douglas  has  been  sitting  up 
all  night,  writing  despatches ;  and  I  must  hasten  on  to 
head-quarters,  without  a  moment's  delay.  There's  work 
before  us,  that's  certain ;  but  when,  where,  and  how,  of 
that  I  know  nothing.  You  may  expect  the  route  every 
moment ;  the  French  are  still  advancing.  Meanwhile,  I 
have  a  couple  of  commissions  for  you  to  execute.  First, 
here's  a  packet  for  Hammersley ;  you  are  sure  to  meet 
him  with  the  regiment,  in  a  day  or  two.  I  have  some 
scruples  about  asking  you  this — but,  confound  it ! — you're 
too  sensible  a  fellow  to  care " 

Here  he  hesitated  ;  and,  as  I  coloured  to  the  eyes,  for 
some  minutes  he  seemed  uncertain  how  to  proceed.  At 
length,  recovering  himself,  he  went  on  : 

"  Now  for  the  other.  This  is  a  most  loving  epistle  from 
a  poor  devil  of  a  midshipman,  written  last  night,  by  a 
tallow  candle,  in  the  cockpit,  containing  vows  of  eternal 
adoration  and  a  lock  of  hair.  I  promised  faithfully  to 
deliver  it  myself:  for  the  Thunderer  sails  for  Gibraltar 
next  tide,  and  he  cannot  go  ashore  for  an  instant.  How- 
ever, as  Sir  Arthur's  billet  may  be  of  more  importance  than 
the  reefer's,  I  must  entrust  its  safe  keeping  to  your  hands. 
Now,  then,  don't  look  so  devilish  sleepy ;  but  seem  to 
understand  what  I  am  saying.  This  is  the  address  :— '  La 
Senhora  Inez  da  Silviero,  R-ua  Nuova,  opposite  the  bar- 
ber's ; '  you'll  not  neglect  it.  So  now,  my  dear  boy,  till  our 
next  meeting,  adio&l" 

"  Stop !  for  heaven's  sake,  not  so  fast,  I  pray.  Where's 
the  street?" 

"  The  Rua  Nuova.  Remember  Figaro,  my  boy.  Cinque 
perrnche." 

"  But  what  am  I  to  do  ?  " 

"  To  do !  what  a  question  !  Anything ;  everything. 
Be  a  good  diplomate  ;  speak  of  the  torturing  agony  of  the 
lover,  for  which  I  can  vouch  (the  boy  is  only  fifteen)  ; 
swear  that  he  is  to  return  in  a  month,  first  lieutenant  of 
the  Thunder  Bomb,  with  intentions  that  even  Madame 
Dalrymple  would  approve." 

"  What  nonsense,"  said  I,  blushing  to  the  eyes. 

"  And  if  that  suffice  not,  I  know  of  but  one  resource.'* 

"Which  is ?" 


LISBON.  295 

"  Make  love  to  her  yourself.  Ay,  even  so.  Don't  look 
so  confoundedly  vinegar;  the  girl,  I  hear,  is  a  devilish 
pretty  one,  the  house  pleasant,  and  I  sincerely  wish  I  could 
exchange  duties  with  you,  leaving  you  to  make  your  bows 
to  his  Excellency  the  C.  0.  F.,  and  myself  free  to  make 
mine  to  La  Senhora.  And  now,  push  along,  old  red  cap." 

So  saying,  he  made  a  significant  cut  of  his  whip  at  the 
Portuguese  guide,  and  in  another  moment  was  out  of 
sight. 

My  first  thought  was  one  of  regret  at  Power's  departure. 
For  some  time  past  we  had  been  inseparable  companions  ; 
and,  notwithstanding  the  reckless  and  wild  gaiety  of  his 
conduct,  I  bad  ever  found  him  ready  to  assist  me  in  every 
difficulty,  and  that  with  an  address  and  dexterity  a  more 
calculating  adviser  might  not  have  possessed.  I  was  now 
utterly  alone  ;  for,  though  Monsoon  and  the  Adjutant  were 
still  in  Lisbon,  as  was  also  Sparks,  I  never  could  make 
intimates  of  them. 

I  ate  my  breakfast  with  a  heavy  heart ;  my  solitary 
position  again  suggesting  thoughts  of  home  and  kindred. 
Just  at  this  moment  my  eyes  fell  upon  the  packet  destined 
for  Hamraersley ;  I  took  it  up  and  weighed  it  in  my  hand. 
"Alas!"  thought  I,  "how  much  of  my  destiny  may  lie 
within  that  envelope !  how  fatally  may  my  after-life  be 
influenced  by  it!"  It  felt  heavy,  as  though  there  was 
something  besides  letters.  True,  too  true ;  there  was  a 
picture  ;  Lucy's  portrait !  The  cold  drops  of  perspiration 
stood  upon  my  forehead  as  my  fingers  traced  the  outline 
of  a  miniature-case  in  the  parcel.  I  became  deadly  weak, 
and  sank,  half-fainting  upon  a  chair.  And  such  is  the  end 
of  my  first  dream  of  happiness  !  How  have  I  duped,  how 
have  I  deceived  myself !  For,  alas !  though  Lucy  had 
never  responded  to  my  proffered  vows  of  affection,  yet  had 
I  ever  nurtured  in  my  heart  a  secret  hope  that  I  was  not 
altogether  uncared  for.  Every  look  she  had  given  me,  every 
word  she  had  spoken,  the  tone  of  her  voice,  her  step,  her 
every  gesture  were  before  me,  all  confirming  my  delusion 
— and  yet 1  could  bear  no  more,  and  burst  into  tears. 

The  loud  call  of  a  cavalry  trumpet  aroused  me. 

How  long  I  had  passed  in  this  state  of  despondency  I 
knewnot ;  but  it  was  long  past  noon  when  I  rallied  myself. 
My  charger  was  already  awaiting  me  ;  and  a  second  blast 


296  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

of  the  trumpet  told  that  the  inspection  in  the  Plaza  was 
about  to  commence. 

As  I  continued  to  dress,  I  gradually  rallied  from  my 
depressing  thonghts ;  and,  ere  I  belted  my  aabertasche,  the 
current  of  my  ideas  had  turned  from  their  train  of  sadness 
to  one  of  hardihood  and  daring.  Lucy  Dashwood  had 
treated  me  like  a  wilful  schoolboy.  Mayhap,  I  may  prove 
myself  as  gallant  a  soldier  as  even  him  she  has  preferred 
before  ma 

A  third  sound  of  the  trumpet  cut  short  my  reflections, 
and  I  sprang  into  the  saddle,  and  hastened  towards  the 
Plaza.  As  I  dashed  along  the  streets,  my  horse,  maddened 
with  the  impulse  that  stirred  my  own  heart,  curveted 
and  plunged  unceasingly.  As  I  reached  the  Plaza,  the 
cro  wd  became  dense,  and  I  was  obliged  to  pull  up.  The 
sound  of  the  music,  the  parade,  the  tramp  of  the  infantry, 
and  the  neighing  of  the  horses,  were,  however,  too  much 
for  my  mettlesome  steed,  and  he  became  nearly  unmanage- 
able ;  he  plunged  fearfully,  and  twice  reared  as  though  he 
would  have  fallen  back.  As  I  scattered  the  foot  passengers 
right  and  left  with  terror,  my  eye  fell  upon  one  lovely  girl, 
who,  tearing  herself  from  her  companion,  rushed  wildly 
towards  an  open  doorway  for  shelter  ;  suddenly,  however, 
changing  her  intention,  she  came  forward  a  few  paces,  and 
then,  as  if  overcome  by  fear,  stood  stock-still,  her  hands 
clasped  upon  her  bosom,  her  eyes  upturned,  her  features 
deadly  pale,  while  her  knees  seemed  bending  beneath  her. 
Never  did  I  behold  a  more  beautiful  object.  Her  dai'k 
hair  had  fallen  loose  upon  her  shoulder,  and  she  stood  the 
very  ideal  of  the  "  Madonna  Supplicating."  My  glance 
was  short  as  a  lightning  flash  ;  for,  the  same  instant,  my 
horse  swerved,  and  dashed  forwards  right  at  the  place 
where  she  was  standing.  One  terrific  cry  rose  from  the 
crowd,  who  saw  her  danger.  Beside  her  stood  a  muleteer, 
who  had  drawn  up  his  mule  and  cart  close  beside  the  foot- 
way for  safely ;  she  made  one  effort  to  reach  it,  but  her 
out-stretched  arms  alone  moved,  and,  paralyzed  by  terror, 
she  sank  motionless  upon  the  pavement.  There  was  but 
one  course  open  to  me  now  ;  so,  collecting  myself  for  the 
effort,  I  threw  my  horse  upon  his  haunches,  and  then, 
dashing  the  spurs  into  his  flanks,  breasted  him  at  the  mule- 
cart.  With  one  spring  he  rose,  and  cleared  it  at  a  bound, 


LISBON.  297 

while  the  very  air  rang  with  the  acclamations  of  the  mnlti- 
tude,  and  a  thousand  bravos  saluted  me  as  I  alighted  upon 
the  opposite  side. 

"Well  done.  O'Malley ! "  sang  out  the  little  Adju- 
tant, as  I  flew  past,  and  pulled  up  in  the  middle  of  the 
Plaza. 

"  Something  devilish  like  Galway  in  that  leap,"  said 
a  very  musical  voice  beside  me  ;  and  at  the  same  in- 
stant a  tall,  soldier-like  man,  in  an  undress  dragoon 
frock,  touched  his  cap,  and  said,  "A  14th  man,  I  per- 
ceive, sir.  May  I  introduce  myself? — Major  O'Shaugh- 
nessy." 

I  bowed,  and  shook  the  Major's  proffered  hand,  while  ha 
continued  : 

"  Old  Monsoon  mentioned  your  name  to  us  this  morning. 
You  came  out  together,  if  I  mistake  riot  ?  " 

"  Yes ;  but,  somehow,  I've  missed  the  Major  since  my 
landing." 

"  Oh,  you'll  see  him  presently ;  hell  be  on  parade. 
By  the  bye,  he  wishes  particularly  to  meet  you.  We 
dine  to-day  at  the  '  Quai  de  Soderi,'  and  if  you're  not 

engaged Yes,  this  is  the  person,"  said  be,  turning 

at  the  moment  towards  a  servant,  who,  with  a  card 
in  his  hand,  seemed  to  search  for  some  one  in  the 
crowd. 

The  man  approached,  and  handed  it  to  me. 

"  What  can  this  mean  ?  "  said  I.  "  Don  Emanuel  de 
Blacas  y  Silviero,  Bua  Nuova." 

"  Why,  that's  the  great  Portuguese  contractor,  the  inten- 
dant  of  half  the  army,  the  richest  fellow  in  Lisbon.  Have 
you  known  him  long  ?  " 

"  Never  heard  of  him  till  now." 

"  By  Jove,  you're  in  luck !  No  man  gives  such  dinners ; 
he  has  such  a  cellar!  I'll  wager  a  fifty  it  was  his  daughter 
you  took  in  the  flying  leap  a  while  ago.  I  hear  she  is  a 
beautiful  creature." 

"  Yes,"  thought  I,  "  that  must  be  it ;  and  yet,  strange 
enough,  I  think  the  name  and  address  are  familiar 
to  me." 

"  Ten  to  one,  yon've  heard  Monsoon  speak  of  him  j 
he's  most  intimate  there.  But  here  comes  the  Major." 

And,  as  he  spoke,  the  illustrious  Commissary  came  for- 


298  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

ward,  holding  a  vast  bundle  of  papers  in  one  hand,  ai  fl  Iris 
snuff-box  in  the  other,  followed  by  a  long  string  of  clerks, 
contractors,  assistant-surgeons,  paymasters,  &c.,  all  eagerly 
pressing  forward  to  be  heard. 

"  It'b  quite  impossible  ;  I  can't  do  it  to-uay.  Victualling 
and  physicking  are  very  good  things,  but  must  be  done  in 
season.  I  have  been  up  all  night  at  the  accounts — 
haven't  I,  O'Malley?" — here  he  winked  at  me  most 
significantly  ; — "  and  then  I  have  the  forage  and  stoppage 
fund  to  look  through  (We  dine  at  six,  sharp,"  said  he,  sotto 
voce),  "  which  will  leave  me  without  one  minute  un- 
occupied for  the  next  twenty-four  hours.  Look  to  your 
toggery  this  evening ;  I've  something  in  my  eye  for  you, 
O'Malley." 

"  Officers  unattached  to  their  several  corps  will  fall 
into  the  middle  of  the  Plaza,"  said  a  deep  voice  among 
the  crowd ;  and,  in  obedience  to  the  order,  I  rode  for- 
ward, and  placed  myself  with  a  number  of  others, 
apparently  newly  joined,  in  the  open  square.  A  short 
grey-haired  old  colonel,  with  a  dark,  eagle  look,  pro- 
ceeded to  inspect  us,  reading  from  a  paper  as  he  came 
along : 

"  Mr.  Hepton,  6th  Foot ;  commission  bearing  date  llth 
January  ;  drilled;  proceed  to  Ovar,  and  join  his  regiment. 

"  Mr.  Gronow,  Fusilier  Guards,  remains  with  the  depot. 

"  Captain  Mortimer,  1st  Dragoons  ;  appointed  aide-de- 
camp to  the  General  commanding  the  cavalry  brigade. 

"  Mr.  Sparks — where  is  Mr.  Sparks  ?  Mr.  Sparks  absent 
from  parade  ;  make  a  note  of  it. 

"  Mr.  O'Malley,  14th  Light  Dragoons.  Mr.  O'Malley— 
oh,  I  remember ;  I  have  received  a  letter  from  Sir  George 
Dashwood  concerning  you.  You  will  hold  yourself  in 
readiness  to  march.  Your  friends  desire  that,  before  you 
may  obtain  any  staff  appointment,  you  should  have  the 
opportunity  of  seeing  some  service.  Am  I  to  understand 
such  is  your  wish  ?  " 

"  Most  certainly." 

"  May  I  have  the  pleasure  of  your  company  at  dinner 
to  day  ?  " 

"  I  regret  that  I  have  already  accepted  an  invitation  to 
dine  with  Major  Monsoon." 

"  With  Major  Monsoon  ?  ah,  indeed  I    Perhaps  it  might 


LISBON.  299 

be  as  well  I  should  mention But  no  matter.     I  wish 

you  good  morning." 

So  saying,  the  little  colonel  rode  off,  leaving  me  to  sup- 
pose that  my  dinner  engagement  had  not  raised  me  in  his 
estimation,  though  why,  I  could  not  exactly  determine. 


CHAPTER  XXXVIIL 

THE    RUA    HUOVA. 

OCR  dinner  was  a  long  and  uninteresting  one,  and,  as  I 
found  that  the  Major  was  likely  to  prefer  his  seat,  as 
chairman  of  the  party,  to  the  seductions  of  ladies'  society, 
I  took  the  first  opportunity  of  escaping,  and  left  the  room. 

It  was  a  rich  moonlight  night,  as  I  found  myself  in  the 
street.  My  way,  which  led  along  the  banks  of  the  Tagus, 
was  almost  as  light  as  in  daytime,  and  crowded  with 
walking  parties,  who  sauntered  carelessly  along,  in  the 
enjoyment  of  the  cool,  refreshing  night  air.  On  inquiring, 
I  discovered  that  the  Bua  Nuova  was  at  the  extremity  of 
the  city  ;  but,  as  the  road  led  along  by  the  river,  I  did  not 
regret  the  distance,  but  walked  on  with  increasing  pleasi  re 
at  the  charms  of  so  heavenly  a  climate  and  country. 

After  three-quarters  of  an  hour's  walk,  the  streets  be- 
came by  degrees  less  and  less  crowded.  A  solitary  party 
passed  me  now  and  then  ;  the  buzz  of  distant  voices  suc- 
ceeded to  the  gay  laughter  and  merry  tones  of  the  passing 
groups,  and,  at  length,  my  own  footsteps  alone  awoke  the 
echoes  along  the  deserted  pathway.  I  stopped  every  now 
and  then  to  gaze  upon  the  tranquil  river,  whose  eddies 
were  circling  in  the  pale  silver  of  the  moonlight.  I  lis- 
tened with  attentive  ear,  as  the  night  breeze  wafted  to  me 

Vol.  30— (11) 


800  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

the  far-off  sounds  of  a  guitar,  and  the  deep  tones  of  some 
lover's  serenade ;  while  again  the  tender  warbling  of  the 
nightingale  came  borne  across  the  stream,  on  a  wind  rich 
•with  the  odour  of  the  orange-tree. 

As  thus  I  lingered  on  my  way,  the  time  stole  on ;  and  it 
was  near  midnight  ere  I  had  roused  myself  from  the  re- 
verie surrounding  objects  had  thrown  about  me.  I  stopped 
suddenly,  and  for  some  minutes  I  struggled  with  myself 
to  discover  if  I  was  really  awake.  As  I  walked  along, 
lost  in  my  reflections,  I  had  entered  a  little  garden  beside 
the  river ;  fragrant  plants  and  lovely  flowers  bloomed  on 
every  side :  the  orange,  the  camelia,  the  cactus,  and  the 
rich  laurel  of  Portugal  were  blending  their  green  and 
golden  hues  around  me,  while  the  very  air  was  tilled  with 
delicious  music.  "  Was  it  a  dream  ?  Could  such  ecstasy 
be  real  ?  "  I  asked  myself,  as  the  rich  notes  swelled  up- 
wards in  their  strength,  and  sank  in  soft  cadence  to  tones 
of  melting  harmony,  now  bursting  forth  in  the  full  force 
of  gladness,  the  voices  blended  together  in  one  stream  of 
mellow  music,  and,  suddenly  ceasing,  the  soft  but  thrilling 
shake  of  a  female  voice  rose  upon  the  air,  and,  in  its  plain- 
tive beauty,  stirred  the  very  heart.  The  proud  tramp  of 
martial  music  succeeded  to  the  low  wailing  cry  of  agony ; 
then  came  the  crash  of  battle,  the  clang  of  steel ; — the 
thunder  of  the  fight  rolled  on  in  all  its  majesty,  increasing 
in  its  maddening  excitement  till  it  ended  in  one  loud  shout 
of  victory. 

All  was  still ;  not  a  breath  moved,  not  a  leaf  stirred, 
and  again  was  I  relapsing  into  my  dreamy  scepticism, 
when  again  the  notes  swelled  upwards  in  concert.  But 
now  their  accents  were  changed,  and,  in  low,  subdued 
tones,  faintly  and  slowly  uttered,  the  prayer  of  thanks- 
giving rose  to  heaven,  and  spoke  their  gratefulness.  I 
almost  fell  upon  my  knees,  and  already  the  tears  filled  my 
eyes,  as  I  drank  in  tne  sounds.  My  heart  was  full  to 
bursting,  and  even  now  as  I  write  it,  my  pulse  throbs  as  1 
remember  the  hymn  of  the  Abencerrages. 

When  I  rallied  from  my  trance  of  excited  pleasure,  my 
first  thought  was — where  was  I,  and  how  came  I  there  ? 
Before  I  could  resolve  my  doubts  upon  the  question,  my 
attention  was  turned  in  another  direction,  for  close  beside 
me  the  branches  moved  forwards,  and  a  pair  of  arms  were 


THE   RUA  NUOVA.  801 

thrown  around  my  neck,  while  a  delicious  voice  cr'~d  out, 
in  an  accent  of  childish  delight,  "  Trovado  !  "  At  the  same 
instant  a  lovely  head  sank  upon  my  shoulder,  covering  it 
with  tresses  of  long  brown  hair.  The  arms  pressed  me 
Btill  more  closely,  till  I  felt  her  very  heart  beating  against 
my  side. 

"  Miofradre,"  said  a  soft,  trembling  voice,  as  her  fingers 
played  in  my  hair  and  patted  my  temples. 

What  a  situation  mine  !  I  well  knew  that  some  mis- 
taken identity  had  been  the  cause  ;  but,  still,  I  could  not 
repress  my  inclination  to  return  the  embrace,  as  I  pressed 
my  lips  upon  the  fair  forehead  that  leaned  upon  my 
bosom;  at  the  same  moment  she  threw  back  her  hend,  as 
if  to  look  me  more  fully  in  the  face.  One  glance  sufficed  ; 
blushing  deeply  over  her  cheeks  and  neck,  she  sprang  from 
my  arms,  and,  uttering  a  faint  cry,  staggered  against  a 
tree.  In  an  instant  I  saw  it  was  the  lovely  girl  I  had  met 
in  the  morning ;  and,  without  losing  a  second,  I  poured 
out  apologies  for  my  intrusion  with  all  the  eloquence  I 
was  master  of,  till  she  suddenly  interrupted  me  by  asking 
if  I  spoke  French.  Scarcely  had  I  recommenced  my 
excuses  in  that  language,  when  a  third  party  appeared 
upon  the  stage.  This  was  a  short,  elderly  man,  in  a  green 
uniform,  with  several  decorations  upon  his  breast,  and  a 
cocked  hat,  with  a  most  flowing  plume,  in  his  right  hand. 

"  May  I  beg  to  know  whom  I  have  the  honour  of  re- 
ceiving ?  "  inquired  he,  in  very  excellent.  English,  as  he 
advanced  with  a  look  of  very  ceremonious  and  distant 
politeness. 

I  immediately  explained  that,  presuming  upon  the  card 
which  his  servant  had  presented  me,  I  had  resolved  on 
paying  my  respects,  when  a  mistake  had  led  me  accident- 
ally into  his  garden. 

My  apologies  had  not  come  to  an  end,  when  he  folded 
me  in  his  arms  and  overwhelmed  me  with  thanks,  at  the 
same  time  saying  a  few  words  in  Portuguese  to  his 
daughter ;  she  stooped  down,  and  taking  my  hand  gently 
within  her  own,  touched  it  with  her  lips. 

This  piece  of  touching  courtesy — which  I  afterwards 
found  meant  little  or  nothing — affected  me  deeply  at  the 
time,  and  I  felt  the  blood  rush  to  my  face  and  forehead, 
kalf  in  pride,  half  in  a  sense  of  shame.  My  confusion  wa» 


802  CHARLES  O'MALLET. 

however,  of  short  duration,  for,  taking  my  arm,  the  old 
gentleman  led  me  along  a  few  paces,  and  turning  round  a 
small  clump  of  olives,  entered  a  little  summer-house.  Here 
a  considerable  party  were  assembled,  which  for  their  pictur- 
esque effect  could  scarcely  have  been  better  managed  on 
the  stage. 

Beneath  the  mild  lustre  of  a  large  lamp  of  stained 
glass,  half  hid  in  the  overhanging  boughs,  was  spread  a 
table  covered  with  vessels  of  gold  and  silver  plate  OH 
gorgeous  richness  ;  drinking  cups  and  goblets  of  antique 
pattern  shone  among  cups  of  Sevres  china  or  Venetian 
glass ;  delicious  fruit,  looking  a  thousand  times  more 
tempting  for  being  contained  in  baskets  of  silver  foliage, 
peeped  from  amid  a  profusion  of  fresh  flowers,  whose  odour 
was  continually  shed  around  by  a  slight  jet  d'eau  that 
played  among  the  leaves.  Around,  upon  the  grass,  seated 
upon  cushions,  or  reclining  on  Genoa  carpets,  were  several 
beautiful  girls,  in  most  becoming  costumes,  their  dark 
locks  and  darker  eyes  speaking  of  "  the  soft  south  " 
while  their  expressive  gestures  and  animated  looks  beto- 
kened a  race  whose  temperament  is  glowing  as  their  clime 
There  were  several  men  also,  the  greater  number  of  whom 
appeared  in  uniform — bronzed,  soldier-like  fellows,  who 
had  the  jaunty  air  and  easy  carriage  of  their  calling — 
among  whom  was  one  Englishman,  or  at  least  so  I  guessed 
from  his  wearing  the  uniform  of  a  heavy  dragoon  regiment. 

"This  is  my  daughter's  f(§te,"  said  Don  Emanuel,  as  he 
ushered  me  into  the  assembly, — "  her  birthday  ;  a  sad  day 
it  might  have  been  for  us  had  it  not  been  for  your  courage 
and  forethought."  So  saying,  he  commenced  a  recital  of 
my  adventure  to  the  bystanders,  who  overwhelmed  me 
with  civil  speeches  and  a  shower  of  soft  looks  that  com- 
pleted the  fascination  of  the  fairy  scene.  Meanwhile,  the 
fair  Inez  had  made  room  for  me  beside  her,  and  I  found 
myself  at  onoe  the  lion  of  the  party,  each  vying  with  her 
neighbour  who  should  show  me  the  most  attention,  la 
Senhora  herself  directing  her  conversation  exclusively  to 
me  ;  a  circumstance  which,  considering  the  awkwardness 
of  our  first  meeting,  I  felt  no  small  surprise  at,  and  which 
led  me,  somewhat  maliciously  I  confess,  to  make  a  half 
allusion  to  it,  feeling  some  interest  in  ascertaining  for 
whom  the  flattering  reception  was  really  intended. 


THE   RUA   NUOVA.  303 

**I  thought  you  were  Charles,"  said  she,  blushing  in 
answer  to  my  question. 

"  And  you  were  right,"  said  I,  "  I  am  Charles." 

"  Nay,  but  I  meant  my  Charles." 

There  was  something  of  touching  softness  in  the  tones 
of  these  few  words  that  made  me  half  wish  I  were  her 
Charles.  Whether  my  look  evinced  as  much  or  not,  I 
cannot  tell,  but  she  speedily  added, — 

"  He  is  my  brother ;  he  is  a  captain  in  the  caqadores,  and 
I  expected  him  here  this  evening.  Some  one  saw  a  figure 
pass  the  gate  and  conceal  himself  in  the  trees,  and  I  am 
sure  it  was  he." 

"  What  a  disappointment !  "  said  I. 

"Yes,  was  it  not?  "  said  she,  hurriedly ;  and  then,  as  if 
remembering  how  ungracious  was  the  speech,  she  blushed 
more  deeply  and  hung  down  her  head. 

Just  at  this  moment,  as  I  looked  up,  I  caught  the  eye  of 
the  English  officer  fixed  steadfastly  upon  me.  He  was  a 
tall,  fine-looking  fellow,  of  about  two  or  three  and  thirty, 
with  marked  and  handsome  features,  which,  however,  con- 
veyed an  expression  of  something  sneering  and  sinister, 
that  struck  me  the  moment  I  saw  him.  His  glass  was 
fixed  in  his  eye,  and  I  perceived  that  he  regarded  us  both 
with  a  look  of  no  common  interest.  My  attention  did 
not,  however,  dwell  long  upon  the  circumstance,  for  Don 
Emanuel,  coming  behind  my  shoulder,  asked  me  if  I  would 
not  take  out  his  daughter  in  the  bolero  they  were  just 
forming. 

To  my  shame  I  was  obliged  to  confess  that  I  had  not 
even  seen  the  dance ;  and,  while  I  continued  to  express  my 
resolve  to  correct  the  errors  of  my  education,  the  English- 
man came  up  and  asked  the  Senhora  to  be  his  partner. 
This  put  the  very  keystone  upon  my  annoyance,  and  I  half 
turned  angrily  away  from  the  spot,  when  I  heard  her  de- 
cline his  invitation,  and  avow  her  determination  not  to  dance. 

There  was  something  which  pleased  me  so  much  at  this 
refusal,  that  I  could  not  help  turning  upon  her  a  look  of  most 
grateful  acknowledgment ;  but,  as  I  did  so,  I  once  more 
encountered  the  gaze  of  the  Englishman,  whose  knitted 
brows  and  compressed  lips  were  bent  upon  me  in  a  manner 
there  was  no  mistaking.  This  was  neither  the  fitting  time 
nor  place  to  seek  any  explanation  of  the  circumstance ;  so 


804  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

wisely  resolving  to  wait  a  better  occasion,  I  turned  array 
and  resumed  my  attentions  towards  my  fair  companion, 

"  Then  you  don't  care  for  the  bolero  ?  "  said  I,  as  she 
re-seated  herself  upon  the  grass. 

"  Ob  !  I  delight  in  it,"  said  she,  enthusiastically. 

"  But  you  refused  to  dance  ?  " 

She  hesitated,  blushed,  tried  to  mutter  something,  and 
was  silent. 

"  I  had  determined  to  learn  it,"  said  I,  half  jestingly ; 
"  but  if  you  will  not  dance  with  me " 

"Yes;  that  I  will— indeed  I  will." 

"  But  you  declined  my  countryman.  Is  it  because  he  is 
inexpert  ?  " 

The  Senhora  hesitated;  looked  confused  for  some 
minutes ;  at  length,  colouring  slightly,  she  said,  "  I  have 
already  made  one  rude  speech  to  you  this  evening  ;  I  fear 
lest  I  should  make  a  second.  Tell  me,  is  Captain  Trevyllian 
your  friend?" 

"  If  you  mean  that  gentleman  yonder,  I  never  saw  him 
before." 

"  Nor  heard  of  him  ?  " 

"  Nor  that  either.     We  are  total  strangers  to  each  other." 

"  Well,  then,  I  may  confess  it.  I  do  not  like  him.  My 
father  prefers  him  to  any  one  else,  invites  him  daily  here, 
and,  in  fact,  instals  him  as  his  first  favourite.  But  still, 
I  cannot  like  him  ;  and  yet  I  have  done  my  best  to  do  so." 

"  Indeed !  "  said  I,  pointedly.  "  What  are  his  chief 
demerits  ?  Is  he  not  agreeable  ?  is  he  not  clever  ?  " 

"  Oh !  on  the  contrary,  most  agreeable ;  fascinating,  I 
should  say,  in  conversation ;  has  travelled ;  seen  a  great 
deal  of  the  world;  is  very  accomplished,  and  has  distin- 
guished himself  on  several  occasions;  he  wears,  as  you  see, 
a  Portuguese  order." 

"And,  with  all  that " 

"  And,  with  all  that,  I  cannot  bear  him.  He  is  a  duellist, 
a  notorious  duellist.  My  brother,  too,  knows  more  of  him, 
and  avoids  him.  But  let  us  not  speak  further :  I  see  his 
eyes  are  again  fixed  on  us  ;  and,  somehow,  I  fear  him, 
without  well  knowing  wherefore." 

A  movement  among  the  party ;  shawls  and  mantillas 
were  sought  for  on  all  sides ;  and  the  preparations  for 
leave-taking  appeared  general.  Before,  however,  I  had 


THE   RUA   NUOVA.  805 

titD a  to  express  my  thanks  for  my  hospitable  reception,  the 
gaests  had  assembled  in  a  circle  around  the  Senhora,  and, 
toasting  her  with  a  parting  bumper,  they  commenced  in 
concert  a  little  Portuguese  song  of  farewell,  each  verse  con- 
cluding with  a  Good  night !  which,  as  they  separated  and 
held  their  way  homewards,  might  now  and  then  be  heard, 
rising  upon  the  breeze,  and  wafting  their  last  thoughts  back 
to  her.  The  concluding  verse,  which  struck  me  much,  I 
have  essayed  to  translate.  It  ran  somehow  thus : — 

*4  The  morning  breezes  chill 

Now  close  our  joyous  scene, 
And  yet  we  linger  still, 

Where  we've  so  happy  been. 
How  blest  were  it  to  live 

With  hearts  like  our;  so  light. 
And  only  part  to  give 

One  long  and  last  Good  night ! 

Good  night  P 

With  many  an  invitation  to  renew  my  visit,  most  kindly 
preferred  by  Don  Emanuel,  and  warmly  seconded  by  hk 
daughter,  I,  too,  wished  my  Good  night !  and  turned  m| 
steps  homeward. 


806  CHARLES    o'aiALLKY. 


THK   VILLA. 


THE  first  object  which  presented  itself  to  my  eye,  the 
next  morning,  was  the  midshipman's  packet,  entrusted  to 
my  care  by  Power.  I  turned  it  over  to  read  the  address 
more  carefully,  and  what  was  my  surprise  to  find  that  the 
name  was  that  of  my  fair  friend,  Donna  Inez ! 

"  This  certainly  thickens  the  plot,"  thought  I ;  "  and  so 
I  have  now  fallen  upon  the  real  Simon  Pure,  and  the  reofer 
has  had  the  good  fortune  to  distance  the  dragoon.  Well, 
thus  far,  I  cannot  say  that  I  regret  it.  Now,  however,  lor 
the  parade,  and  then  for  the  villa." 

"  1  say,  O'Malley,"  cried  out  Monsoon,  as  I  appeared  on 
the  Plaza,  "  I  have  accepted  an  invitation  for  you  to-day- 
We  dine  across  the  river.  Be  at  my  quarters  a  little  before 
six,  and  we'll  go  together." 

1  should  rather  have  declined  the  invitation,  but,  not 
well  knowing  why,  and  having  no  ready  excuse,  acceded, 
and  promised  to  be  punctual. 

"  You  were  at  Don  Emanuel's  last  night ;  I  heard  of 


you 


i" 


"  Yes:  I  spent  a  most  delightful  evening." 

"  That's  your  ground,  my  boy ;  a  million  of  moidores, 
and  such  a  campagna  in  Valencia;  a  better  thing  than  the 
Dalrymple  affair.  Don't  blush.  I  know  it  all.  But  stay ; 
here  they  come." 

As  he  spoke,  the  General  commanding,  with  a  numerous 
staff,  rode  forward.  As  they  passed,  I  recognized  a  face 
which  I  had  certainly  seen  before,  and  in  a  moment  re- 
membered it  waa  that  of  the  dragoon  of  the  evening 
before.  He  passed  quite  close,  and  fixing  his  eyes  stead- 
fastly on  me,  evinced  no  sign  of  recognition. 

The  parade  lasted  above  two  hours,  and  it  was  with  a 
feeling  of  impatience  I  mounted  a  fresh  horse  to  canter 
out  to  the  villa.  When  I  arrived,  the  servant  informed 


807 

me  that  Don  Eraanuel  was  in  the  city,  but  that  the  Senhora 
was  in  the  garden,  offering,  at  the  same  time,  to  escort  me. 
Declining  this  honour,  I  entrusted  niy  horse  to  his  keeping, 
and  took  my  way  towards  the  arbour  where  last  I  had  seen 
her. 

I  had  not  walked  many  paces,  when  the  sound  of  a  guitar 
struck  on  my  ear.  I  listened.  It  was  the  Seiihora's  voice. 
She  was  singing  a  Venetian  canzonetta,  in  a  low,  soft, 
warbling  tone,  as  one  lost  in  a  reverie;  as  though  the 
music  was  a  mere  accompaniment  to  some  pleasant 
thought.  I  peeped  through  the  dense  leaves,  and  there 
she  sat  upon  a  low  garden  seat ;  an  open  book  on  the 
rustic  table  before  her ;  beside  her,  embroidery,  which 
seemed  only  lately  abandoned.  As  I  looked,  she  placed 
her  guitar  upon  the  ground,  and  began  to  play  with 
a  small  spaniel,  that  seemed  to  have  waited  with  impa- 
tience for  some  testimony  of  favour.  A  moment  more, 
and  she  grew  weary  of  this  ;  then,  heaving  a  long  but 
gentle  sigh,  leaned  back  upon  her  chair,  and  seemed  lost 
in  thought.  I  now  had  ample  time  to  regard  her,  and, 
certainly,  never  beheld  anything  more  lovely.  There  was 
a  character  of  classic  beauty,  and  her  brow,  though  fair 
and  ample,  was  still  strongly  marked  upon  the  temples ; 
the  eyes,  being  deep  and  squarely  set,  imparte  i  a  look  of 
intensity  to  her  features  which  their  own  softness  alone 
subdued,  while  the  short  upper  lip,  which  trembled  with 
every  passing  thought,  spoke  of  a  nature  tender  and  im- 
pressionable, and  yet  impassioned.  Her  foot  and  ankle 
peeped  from  beneath  her  dark  robe,  and  certainly  nothing 
could  be  more  faultless;  while  her  hand,  fair  as  marble, 
blue-veined  and  dimpled,  played  amid  the  long  tresses  of 
her  hair,  that,  as  if  in  the  wantonness  of  beauty,  fell  care- 
lessly upon  her  shoulders. 

It  was  some  time  before  I  could  tear  myself  away  from 
the  fascination  of  so  much  beauty,  and  it  needed  no 
common  effort  to  leave  the  spot.  As  I  made  a  short  detour 
in  the  garden  before  approaching  the  arbour,  she  saw  me 
as  I  came  forward,  and,  kissing  her  hand  gaily,  made  room 
for  me  beside  her. 

"  I  have  been  fortunate  in  finding  you  alone,  Senhora," 
said  I,  as  I  seated  myself  by  her  side,  "for  I  am  the 
bearer  of  a  letter  to  you-  How  far  it  may  interest  you  I 


808  CHARLES  O'MALLET. 

know  not,  but  to  the  writer's  feelings  I  am  bound  to  tea 
tify." 

"  A  letter  to  me  ?  you  jest,  surely  ?  " 

"  That  I  am  in  earnest,  this  will  show,"  said  I,  pro- 
ducing the  packet. 

She  took  it  from  my  hands,  turned  it  about  and  about, 
examined  the  seal,  while,  half  doubtingly,  she  said, — 

"  The  name  is  mine  ;  but  still " 

"  You  fear  to  open  it :  is  it  not  so  ?  But,  after  all,  you 
need  not  be  surprised  if  it's  irom  Howard ;  that's  his  name, 
I  think.'* 

"Howard!  from  little  Howard!"  exclaimed  she,  en- 
thusiastically ;  and,  tearing  open  the  letter,  she  pressed  it 
to  her  lips,  her  eyes  sparkling  with  pleasure,  and  her  cheek 
glowing  as  she  read.  I  watched  her  as  she  ran  rapidly 
over  the  lines;  and  I  confess  that,  more  than  once,  a  pang 
of  discontent  shot  through  my  heart  that  the  midshipman's 
letter  could  call  up  such  interest ;  not  that  I  was  in  love 
with  her  myself,  but  yet,  I  know  not  how  it  was,  I  had 
fancied  her  affections  unengaged,  and,  without  asking  my- 
self wherefore,  I  wished  as  much. 

"  Poor,  dear  boy  ! "  said  she,  as  she  came  to  the  end. 

How  these  few  and  simple  words  sank  into  my  heart  as 
I  remembered  how  they  had  once  been  uttered  to  myself, 
and  in  perhaps  no  very  dissimilar  circumstances. 

"But  where  is  the  souvenir  he  speaks  of?"  said 
she. 

"  The  souvenir.     I'm  not  aware " 

"  Oh,  I  hope  you  have  not  lost  the  lock  of  hair  he  sent 
me!" 

I  was  quite  dumbfounded  at  this,  and  could  not  remem- 
ber whether  I  had  received  it  from  Power  or  not ;  so 
answered,  at  random, — 

"Yes ;  I  must  have  left  it  on  my  table." 

"  Promise  me,  then,  to  bring  it  to-morrow  with  you  ?  " 

"  Certainly,"  said  I,  with  something  of  pique  in  my 
manner.  "  If  I  find  such  a  means  of  making  my  visit  an 
agreeable  one,  I  shall  certainly  not  omit  it. " 

"  You  are  quite  right,"  said  she,  either  not  noticing,  or 
not  caring  for  the  tone  of  my  reply  ;  "  you  will,  indeed,  be 
a  welcome  messenger.  Do  YOU  know  he  was  one  of  my 
lovers  P" 


THE   VILLA.  809 

"  One  of  them  !  Indeed  !  Then  pray  how  many  do  you 
number  at  this  moment  ?  " 

"  What  a  question !  as  if  I  could  possibly  count  them. 
Besides,  there  are  so  many  absent ;  some  on  leave,  some 
deserters,  perhaps,  that  I  might  be  reckoning  among  my 
troops,  but  who,  possibly,  form  part  of  the  forces  of  the 
enemy.  Do  you  know  little  Howard?" 

"  I  cannot  say  that  we  are  personally  acquainted,  but  I 
am  enabled,  through  the  medium  of  a  friend,  to  say  that 
his  sentiments  are  not  strange  to  me.  Besides,  I  have 
really  pledged  myself  to  support  the  prayer  of  his  peti- 
tion." 

"  How  very  good  of  you !  For  which  reason  you've 
forgotten,  if  not  lost,  the  lock  of  hair." 

"  That  you  shall  have  to-morrow,"  said  I,  pressing  my 
hand  solemnly  to  my  heart. 

"  Well,  then,  don't  forget  it.  But  hush ;  here  comes 
Captain  Trevyllian !  So  you  say  Lisbon  really  pleases 
you  ?  "  said  she,  in  a  tone  of  voice  totally  changed,  as  the 
dragoon  of  the  preceding  evening  approached. 

"  Mr.  O'Malley,  Captain  Trevyllian." 

We  bowed  stiffly  and  haughtily  to  each  other,  as  two 
men  salute  who  are  unavoidably  obliged  to  bow,  with  e  ery 
wish  on  either  side  to  avoid  acquaintance.  So,  at  least,  I 
construed  his  bow  ;  so  I  certainly  intended  my  own. 

It  requires  no  common  tact  to  give  conversation  the  ap- 
pearance of  unconstraint  and  ease  when  it  is  evident  that 
each  person  opposite  is  labouring  under  excited  feelings  ; 
so  that,  notwithstanding  the  Senhora's  efforts  to  engage 
our  attention  by  the  commonplaces  of  the  day,  we  re- 
mained almost  silent,  and  after  a  few  observations  of  no 
interest,  took  our  several  leaves.  Here  again  a  new  source 
of  awkwardness  arose  ;  for,  as  we  walked  together  towards 
the  house,  where  our  horses  stood,  neither  party  seemed 
disposed  to  speak. 

"You  are  probably  returning  to  Lisbon?"  said  he, 
coldly. 

I  assented  by  a  bow ;  upon  which,  drawing  his  bridle 
within  his  arm,  he  bowed  once  more,  and  turned  away  in 
an  opposite  direction ;  while  I,  glad  to  be  relieved  of  an 
unsought-for  companionship,  returned  alone  to  the  towii. 


310  CttAIiLES    0 


CHAPTER  XL. 

THK    DINNER. 

IT  was  with  no  peculiar  pleasure  that  I  dressed  for  onr 
dinner  party.  Major  O'Shaughnessy,  our  host,  was  one 
of  that  class  of  my  countrymen  I  cared  least  for, — a  riot- 
ous, good-natured,  noisy,  loud -swearing,  punch-drinking 
western  ;  full  of  stories  of  impossible  fox  hunts,  and  un- 
imaginable duels,  which  all  were  acted  either  by  himself  or 
some  member  of  his  family.  The  company  consisted  of  the 
Adjutant,  Monsoon,  Ferguson,  Trevyllian,  and  some  eight 
or  ten  officers  with  whom  I  was  unacquainted.  As  is 
usual  on  such  occasions,  the  wine  circulated  freely,  and, 
amid  the  din  and  clamour  of  excited  conversation,  the 
fumes  of  Burgundy,  and  the  vapour  of  cigar  smoke,  we 
most  of  us  became  speedily  mystified.  As  for  me,  my 
evil  destiny  would  have  it  that  I  was  placed  exactly 
opposite  Trevyllian,  with  whom,  upon  more  than  one 
occasion,  I  happened  to  differ  in  opinion,  and  the  question 
was  in  itself  some  trivial  and  unimportant  one ;  yet  the 
tone  which  he  assumed,  and  of  which  I,  too,  could  not 
divest  myself  in  reply,  boded  anything  rather  than  an 
amicable  feeling  between  us.  The  noise  and  turmoil  about 
prevented  the  others  remarking  the  circumstance ;  but  I 
could  perceive  in  his  manner  what  I  deemed  a  studied 
determination  to  promote  a  quarrel,  while  I  felt  within 
myself  a  most  unchristian-like  desire  to  indulge  his  fancy. 

"  Worse  fellows  at  passing  the  bottle  than  Trevyllian 
and  O'Malley,  there,  I  have  rarely  sojourned  with,"  cried 
the  Major ;  "  look,  if  they  haven't  got  eight  decanters 
between  them,  and  here  we  are  in  a  state  of  African 
thirst." 

"  How  can  you  expect  him  to  think  of  thirst  when  such 
perfumed  billets  as  that  come  showering  upon  him  ?  "  said 
the  Adjutant,  alluding  to  a  rose-coloured  epistle  a  servant 
had  placed  within  my  hands. 


THE   DINNER.  311 

"Eight  miles  of  a  stone-wall  country  in  fifteen  minutes  ! 
— devil  a  lie  in  it !  "  said  O'Shaughnessy,  striking  tlie 
table  with  his  clenched  fist ;  "  show  me  the  man  would 
deny  it !  " 

"  Why  my  dear  fellow, " 

"  Don't  be  dearing  me.  Is  it  no  you'll  be  saying 
to  me?  " 

"  Listen,  now :  there's  O'Reilly,  there n 

"  Where  is  he  ?  " 

"  He's  under  the  table ! " 

"  Well,  it's  the  same  thing.  His  mother  had  a  fox — 
bad  luck  to  you,  don't  scald  me  with  the  jug  ! — his  mother 
had  a  fox-cover  in  Shinrohan." 

When  O'Shaughnessy  had  got  thus  far  in  his  narrative, 
I  had  the  opportunity  of  opening  my  note,  which  merely 
contained  the  following  words :  "  Come  to  the  ball  at  the 
Casino,  and  bring  the  cadeau  you  promised." 

I  had  scarcely  read  this  over  once,  when  a  roar  of 
laughter  at  something  said  attracted  my  attention.  I 
looked  up,  and  perceived  Trevyllian's  eyes  bent  upon 
me  with  the  fierceness  of  a  tiger ;  the  veins  in  his  fore- 
head were  swollen  and  distorted,  and  the  whole  expres- 
sion of  his  face  betokened  rage  and  passion.  Resolved 
no  longer  to  submit  to  such  evident  determination  to 
insult,  1  was  rising  from  my  place  at  table,  when,  as  if 
anticipating  my  intention,  he  pushed  back  his  chair,  and 
left  the  room.  Fearful  of  attracting  attention  by  imme- 
diately following  him,  I  affected  to  join  in  the  conversation 
around  me,  while  my  temples  throbbed,  and  my  hands 
tingled  with  impatience  to  get  away. 

"  PoorM'Manus  !  "  said  O'Shaughnessy,  "  rest  his  soul ! 
he'd  have  puzzled  the  bench  of  bishops  for  hard  words. 
Upon  my  conscience,  I  believe  he  spent  his  mornings 
looking  for  them  in  the  Old  Testament.  Sure  ye  might 
Lave  heard  what  happened  to  him  at  Banagher,  when  he 
commanded  the  Kilkennys, — ye  never  heard  the  story  ? 
well,  then,  ye  shall.  Push  the  sherry  along  first,  though 
— old  Monsoon,  there,  always  keeps  it  lingering  beside 
his  left  arm ! 

"Well,  when  Peter  was  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  the 
Kilkennys — who,  I  may  remark,  en  passant,  as  the 
French  say,  were  the  seediest-looking  devils  in  the  whole 


812  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

service — he  never  let  them  alone  from  morning  till  night, 
drilling  and  pipe-claying,  and  polishing  them  up.  '  Nothing 
•will  make  soldiers  of  you,'  said  Peter  ;  '  but  by  the  rock 
of  Cashel,  I'll  keep  you  as  clean  as  a  new  mu.sket ! '  Now, 
poor  Peter  himself  was  not  a  very  warlike  figure  ;  he 
measured  five  feet  one  in  his  tallest  boots ;  but  certainly, 
if  Nature  denied  him  length  of  stature,  she  compensated 
for  it  in  another  way,  by  giving  him  a  taste  of  the  longest 
words  in  the  language.  An  extra  syllable  or  so  in  a  word 
was  always  a  strong  recommendation ;  and,  whenever  he 
could  not  find  one  to  his  mind,  he'd  take  some  quaint 
outlandish  one,  that  more  than  once  led  to  very  awkward 
results.  Well,  the  regiment  was  one  day  drawn  up  for 
parade  in  the  town  of  Banagher,  and,  as  M 'Manns  came 
down  the  lines,  he  stopped  opposite  one  of  the  men,  whose 
face,  hands,  and  accoutrements  exhibited  a  most  woeful 
contempt  of  his  orders.  The  fellow  looked  more  like  a 
turf-stack  than  a  light-company  man  ! 

"  '  Stand  out,  sir! '  cried  M'Manus,  in  a  boiling  passion. 
'  Sergeant  O'Toole,  inspect  this  individual.'  Now,  the 
sergeant  was  rather  a  favourite  with  Mac ;  for  he  always 
pretended  to  understand  his  phraseology,  and,  in  con- 
sequence, was  pronounced  by  the  colonel  a  very  superior 
man  for  his  station  in  life.  '  Sergeant,'  said  he,  '  we  shall 
make  an  exemplary  illustration  of  our  system  here  I ' 

"  '  Yes,  sir,'  said  the  Sergeant,  sorely  puzzled  at  the 
meaning  of  what  he  spoke. 

"  '  Bear  him  to  the  Shannon,  and  lave  him  there  '"  This 
he  said  in  a  kind  of  Coriolanus  tone,  with  a  toss  up  of  his 
head,  and  a  wave  of  his  right  arm,  signs,  whenever  he  made 
them,  incontestably  showing  that  further  parley  was  out 
of  the  question,  and  that  he  had  summed  up,  and  charged 
the  jury  for  good  and  all. 

"  '  Lave  him  in  the  river  ? '  said  O'Toole,  his  eyes 
starting  from  the  sockets,  and  his  whole  face  working  in 
strong  anxiety  ;  '  is  it  lave  him  in  tLe  river,  yer  honour 
means  ? ' 

"  '  I  have  spoken  ! '  said  the  little  man,  bending  an 
ominous  frown  upon  the  sergeant,  which,  whatever  con- 
struction  he  might  have  put  upon  his  words,  there  was  no 
mistaking. 

"  *  Well,  well,  av  it's  God's  will  he's  drowned,  it  will 


THE   DINNER.  313 

not  be  on  my  head,'  says  O'Toole,  as  he  marched  the 
fellow  away,  between  two  rank  and  file. 

"  The  parade  was  nearly  over,  when  Mac  happened  to 
see  the  sergeant  coming  up,  all  splashed  with  water,  and 
looking  quite  tired. 

"  '  Have  you  obeyed  my  orders  ?  '  said  he. 

"  '  Yes,  yer  honour ;  and  tough  work  we  had  of  it,  for 
he  struggled  hard  ! ' 

"  '  And  where  is  he  now  ?  ' 

"  '  Oh,  troth,  he's  there  safe  !  Divil  a  fear  he'll  get  out! ' 

"'Where?'  said  Mac. 

"  *  In  the  river,  yer  honour.' 

"  '  What  have  you  done,  you  scoundrel  ? ' 

"  '  Didn't  I  do  as  you  bid  bid  me  ?  '  says  he  ;  *  didn't  I 
throw  him  in,  and  lave  [leave]  him  there  ?  ' 

"  And  faith  so  they  did ;  and  if  he  wasn't  a  good  swim- 
mer, and  got  over  to  Moystown,  there's  little  doubt  but 
he'd  have  been  drowned,  and  all  because  Peter  M'Manus 
could  not  express  himself  like  a  Christian." 

In  the  laughter  which  followed  O'Shaughnessy's  story, 
I  took  the  opportunity  of  making  my  escape  from  the 
party,  and  succeeded  in  gaining  the  street  unobserved. 
Though  the  note  I  had  just  read  was  not  signed,  I  had 
no  doubt  from  whom  it  came  ;  so  I  hastened  at  once  to  my 
quarters,  to  make  search  for  the  lock  of  Ned  Howard's 
hair,  to  which  the  Senhora  alluded.  What  was  my  morti- 
fication, however,  to  discover  that  no  such  tiling  could  be 
found  anywhere !  I  searched  all  my  drawers  ;  I  tossed 
about  my  papers  and  letters  ;  I  hunted  every  likely,  every 
unlikely  spot  I  could  think  of,  but  in  vain  ;  now  cursing 
my  carelessness  for  having  lost  it ;  now  swearing  most 
solemnly  to  myself  that  I  never  could  have  received  it. 
What  was  to  be  done  ?  It  was  already  late :  my  only 
thought  was  how  to  replace  it.  If  I  only  knew  the  colour, 
any  other  lock  of  hair  would,  doubtless,  do  just  as  well. 
The  chances  were,  as  Howard  was  young,  and  an  English- 
man, that  his  hair  was  light ;  light-brown,  probably ; 
something  like  my  own.  Of  course  it  was  !  why  didn't 
that  thought  occur  to  me  before?  how  stupid  I  was.  So 
saying,  I  seized  a  pair  of  scissors,  and  cut  a  long  lock  be- 
side my  temple;  this,  in  a  calm  moment,  I  might  have 
hesitated  about.  "Yes,"  thought  I,  "she'll  never 


814  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

cover  the  cheat;  and,  besides,  I  do  feel — I  know  not 
exactly  why — rather  gratified  to  think  that  I  shall  have 
left  this  souvenir  behind  me,  even  though  it  call  up  other 
recollections  than  of  me."  So  thinking,  I  wrapped  my 
cloak  about  me,  and  hastened  towards  the  Casino. 


CHAPTER  XLI. 

XHX   ROUTE. 

I  HAD  scarcely  gone  a  hundred  yards  from  my  quarters, 
when  a  great  tramp  of  horses'  feet  attracted  my  attention. 
I  stopped  to  listen,  and  soon  heard  the  jingle  of  dragoon 
accoutrements,  as  the  noise  came  nearer.  The  night  was 
dark,  but  perfectly  still ;  and  before  I  stood  many  minutes 
I  heard  the  tones  of  a  voice  which  I  well  knew  could 
belong  to  but  one,  and  that,  Fred  Power. 

"  Fred  Power !  "  said  I,  shouting  at  the  same  time  at 
the  top  of  my  voice — "  Power  !  " 

*'  Ah,  Charley,  is  that  you  ?  come  along  to  the  Adjutant- 
General's  quarters.  I'm  charged  with  some  important 
despatches,  and  can't  stop  till  I've  delivered  them.  Come 
along,  I've  glorious  news.for  you  !"  So  saying,  he  dashed 
spurs  to  his  horse,  and  followed  by  two  mounted  dragoons, 
galloped  past.  Power's  few  and  hurried  words  had  so 
excited  my  curiosity,  that  I  turned  at  once  to  follow  him, 
questioning  myself,  as  I  walked  along,  to  what  he  could 
possibly  allude.  He  knew  of  my  attachment  to  Lucy 
Dashwood — could  he  mean  anything  of  her  ?  But  what 
could  I  expect  there  ?  by  what  flattery  could  I  picture  to 
myself  any  chance  of  success  in  that  quarter  ?  and  yet, 
what  other  news  could  I  care  for  or  value,  than  what  bore 


THE    ROUTE.  815 

upon  her  fate  upon  whom  my  own  depended  ?  Thus 
ruminating,  I  reached  the  door  of  the  spacious  building  in 
which  the  Adjutant-General  had  taken  up  his  abode,  and 
soon  found  myself  among  a  crowd  of  persons  whom  the 
rumour  of  some  important  event  had  assembled  there, 
though  no  one  could  tell  what  had  occurred.  Before 
many  minutes  the  door  opened,  and  Power  came  out ; 
bowing  hurriedly  to  a  few,  and  whispering  a  word  or  two 
as  he  passed  down  the  steps,  he  seized  me  by  the  arm  and 
led  me  across  the  street.  "  Charley,"  said  he,  "  the  cur- 
tain's rising ;  the  piece  is  about  to  begin ;  a  new  com- 
niander-in-chief  is  sent  out ;  Sir  Arthur  Wellesley,  my  boy, 
the  finest  fellow  in  England,  is  to  head  us  on,  and  we 
march  to-morrow.  There's  news  for  you !  "  A  raw  boy, 
unread,  uninformed  as  I  was,  I  knew  but  little  of  his 
career  whose  name  had  even  then  shed  sneh  lustre  upon 
our  army ;  but  the  buoyant  tone  of  Po^  er  as  he  spoke, 
the  kindling  energy  of  his  voice  roused  me,  and  I  felt 
every  inch  a  soldier.  As  I  grasped  his  hand,  in  delightful 
enthusiasm,  I  lost  all  memory  of  my  disappointment,  and, 
in  the  beating  throb  that  shook  my  head,  I  felt  how  deeply 
slept  the  ardour  of  military  glory  that  first  led  me  from 
my  home  to  see  a  battle-field. 

"  There  goes  the  news !  "  said  Frederick,  pointing,  as  he 
spoke,  to  a  rocket  that  shot  up  into  the  sky,  and,  as  it 
broke  into  ten  thousand  stars,  illuminated  the  broad  stream 
where  the  ships  of  war  lay  darkly  resting.  In  another 
moment  the  whole  air  shone  with  similar  fires,  while  the 
deep  roll  of  the  drum  sounded  along  the  silent  streets, 
and  the  city,  so  lately  sunk  in  sleep,  became,  as  if  by 
magic,  thronged  with  crowds  of  people ;  the  sharp  clang 
of  the  cavalry  trumpet  blended  with  the  gay  carol  of  the 
light-infantry  bugle,  and  the  heavy  tramp  of  the  march 
was  heard  in  the  distance.  All  was  excitement,  all  bustle ; 
but  in  the  joyous  tone  of  every  voice  was  spoken  the 
longing  anxiety  to  meet  the  enemy  ;  the  gay,  reckless 
tone  of  an  Irish  song  would  occasionally  reach,  us,  as 
some  Connaught  Banger,  or  some  78th  man  passed,  his 
knapsack  on  his  back  ;  or  the  low  monotonous  pibroch  of 
the  Highlander,  swelling  into  a  war-cry,  as  some  kilted 
corps  drew  up  their  ranks  together.  We  turned  to  regain 
our  quarters,  when,  at  the  corner  of  a  street,  we  came 


816  CHARLES 

suddenly  upon  a  merry  party,  seated  around  a  table  before 
a  little  inn ;  a  large  street  lamp,  unhung  for  the  occasion, 
had  been  placed  in  the  midst  of  them,  and  showed  us  the 
figures  of  several  soldiers  in  undress ;  at  the  end,  and, 
raised  a  little  above  his  compeers,  sat  one  whom,  by  the 
unfair  proportion  he  assumed  of  the  conversation,  not  less 
than  by  the  musical  intonation  of  his  voice,  I  soon  re- 
cognized as  my  man,  Mickey  Free. 

"I'll  be  hanged  if  that's  not  your  fellow  there,  Charley," 
said  Power,  as  he  came  to  a  dead  stop  a  few  yards  off. 
"  What  an  impertinent  varlet  he  is :  only  to  think  of  him 
there,  presiding  among  a  set  of  fellows,  chat  have  fought 
all  the  battles  in  the  Peninsular  war.  At  this  moment, 
I'll  be  hanged,  if  he  is  not  going  to  sing." 

Here  a  tremendous  thumping  upon  the  table  announced 
the  fact,  and  after  a  few  preliminary  observations  from 
Mike,  illustrative  of  his  respect  to  the  service  in  which  he 
had  so  often  distinguished  himself,  he  began,  to  the  air  of 
the  "  Young  May  Moon,"  a  ditty  of  which  I  only  recollect 
the  following  verses : 

*'  The  pickets  are  fast  retreating  boys, 
The  last  tattoo  is  beating  boys ; 

So  let  every  man 

Finish  his  can, 
And  drink  to  our  next  merry  meeting,  boys  i 

"  The  colonel  so  gaily  prancing,  boys, 

Has  a  wonderful  trick  of  advancing  boys ; 
When  he  sings  out  so  large, 
'Fix  bayonets  and  charge,' 
He  sets  all  the  Frenchmen  a-dancing,  boys  I 

"  Let  Mounseer  look  ever  so  big,  my  boys, 
Who  cares  for  fighting  a  fig,  my  boys  f 

When  we  pluy  Garryowen, 

He'd  rather  go  home  ; 
For  somehow,  he's  no  taste  for  a  jig,  my  boys  I" 

This  admirable  lyric  seemed  to  have  a  perfect  success, 
if  one  were  only  to  judge  from  the  thundering  of  voices, 
hands,  and  drinking  vessels  which  followed;  while  a 
venerable  grey -haired  sergeant  rose  to  propose  Mr.  Free's 
health,  and  speedy  promotion  to  him. 

We  stood  for  several  minutes  in  admiration  of  the  party ; 


THE   BOUTE.  817 

when  the  loud  roll  of  the  drums  beating  to  arms  awakened 
us  to  the  thought  that  our  moments  were  numbered. 

"  Good  night,  Charley  !  "  said  Power,  as  he  shook  my 
hand  warmly;  "good  night!  It  will  be  your  last  night 
under  a  curtain  for  some  months  to  come ;  make  the  most 
of  it.  Adieu  I  " 

So  saying,  we  parted :  he  to  his  quarters,  and  I  to  all 
the  confusion  of  my  baggage,  which  lay  in  most  admired 
disorder  about  my  room. 


CHAPTER  XLIL 

THK    FAREWELL. 

THE  preparations  for  the  march  occupied  me  till  near 
morning ;  and,  indeed,  had  I  been  disposed  to  sleep,  the 
din  and  clamour  of  the  world  without  would  have  totally 
prevented  it.  Before  daybreak  the  advanced  guard  was 
already  in  motion,  and  some  squadrons  of  heavy  cavalry 
had  begun  their  march. 

I  looked  around  my  now  dismantled  room  as  one  does 
usually  for  the  last  time  ere  leaving,  and  bethought  me  if 
I  had  not  forgotten  anything.  Apparently  all  was  remem- 
bered :  but  stay — what  is  this  ?  To  be  sure,  how  forgetful 
I  had  become  I  It  was  the  packet  I  destined  for  Donna 
Inez,  and  which,  in  the  confusion  of  the  night  before,  I 
had  omitted  to  bring  to  the  Casino. 

I  immediately  despatched  Mike  to  the  Commissary,  with 
my  luggage,  and  orders  to  ascertain  when  we  were  ex- 
pected to  march.  He  soon  returned,  with  the  intelligence 


318  CHARLES  O'MALLKY. 

that  our  corps  was  not  to  move  before  noon ;  so  that  I  had 
yet  some  hours  to  spare,  and  make  my  adieux  to  the 
Senhora. 

I  cannot  exactly  explain  the  reason,  but  I  certainly  did 
bestow  a  more  than  common  attention  upon  my  toilette 
that  morning.  The  Senhora  was  nothing  to  me.  It  is 
true,  she  had,  as  she  lately  most  candidly  informed  me,  a 
score  of  admirers,  among  whom  I  was  not  even  reckoned : 
she  was  evidently  a  coquette,  whose  greatest  pleasure  was 
to  sport  and  amuse  herself  with  the  passions  she  excited 
in  others.  And,  even  if  she  were  not, — if  her  heart  were 
to  be  won  to-morrow,  what  claim — what  right  had  I  to 
seek  it  ?  My  affections  were  already  pledged ;  promised, 
it  is  true,  to  one  who  gave  nothing  in  return,  and  who, 
perhaps,  even  loved  another.  Ah !  there  was  the  rub : 
that  one  confounded  suspicion,  lurking  in  the  rear,  chilled 
my  courage  and  wounded  my  spirit. 

If  there  be  anything  more  disheartening  to  an  Irishman, 
in  his  little  affaires  de  cceur,  than  another,  it  is  the  sense  of 
rivalry.  The  obstinacy  of  fathers,  the  ill-will  of  mothers, 
the  coldness,  the  indifference  of  the  lovely  object  herself, 
— obstacles  though  they  be, — he  has  tact,  spirit,  and  perse- 
verance to  overcome  them ;  but,  when  a  more  successful 
candidate  for  the  fair  presents  himself ;  when  the  eye  that 
remains  downcast  at  his  suit,  lights  up  with  animation  at 
another's  coming ;  when  the  features  whose  cold  and  chill- 
ing apathy  to  him  have  blended  in  one  smile  of  welcome 
to  another, — it  is  all  up  with  him :  he  sees  the  game  lost, 
and  throws  his  cards  upon  the  table.  And  yet,  why  is 
this  ?  why  is  it  that  he,  whose  birthright  it  would  seem  to 
be  sanguine  when  others  despond, — to  be  confident  when 
all  else  are  hopeless, — should  find  his  courage  fail  him 

here  ?     The  reason  is,  simply But  in  good  sooth,  I 

am  ashamed  to  confess  it ! 

Having  jogged  on  so  far  with  my  reader,  in  all  the 
sober  seriousness  which  the  matter-of-fact  material  of 
these  memoirs  demands,  I  fear  lest  a  seeming  parodox 
may  cause  me  to  lose  my  good  name  for  veracity ;  and 
that,  while  merely  maintaining  a  national  trait  of  my 
country,  1  may  appear  to  be  asserting  some  unheard-of 
and  absurd  proposition :  so  far  have  mere  vulgar  prejudices 
gone  to  sap  our  character  as  a  people. 


THE    FAREWELL.  819 

The  reason,  then,  is  this — for  I  have  gone  too  far  to  re- 
treat— the  Irishman  is  essentially  bashful.  Well,  laugh  if 
you  wish ;  for  I  conclude  that,  by  this  time,  you  have 
given  way  to  a  most  immoderate  excess  of  risibility ;  but 
still,  when  you  have  perfectly  recovered  your  composure, 
I  beg  to  repeat,  the  Irishman  is  essentially  a  bashful 
man! 

Do  not,  for  a  moment,  fancy  that  I  would  by  this  imply 
that,  in  any  new  or  unexpected  situation —that  from  any 
Unforeseen  conjuncture  of  events — the  Irishman  would  feel 
confused  or  abashed,  more  than  any  other ;  far  from  it. 
The  cold  and  habitual  reserve  of  the  Englishman,  the 
studied  caution  of  the  North  Tweeder  himself,  would  ex- 
hibit far  stronger  evidences  of  awkwardness  in  such  cir- 
cumstances as  these.  But,  on  the  other  hand,  when 
measuring  his  capacity,  his  means  of  success,  his  proba- 
bilities of  being  preferred,  with  those  of  the  natives  of 
any  other  country,  I  back  the  Irishman  against  the  world 
for  distrust  of  his  own  powers,  for  an  under-estimate  of 
his  real  merits  ;  in  one  word,  for  his  bashfuluess.  But  let 
us  return  to  Donna  Inez. 

As  I  rode  up  to  the  villa,  I  found  the  family  assembled 
at  breakfast.  Several  officers  were  also  present,  among 
whom  I  was  not  sorry  to  recognize  my  friend  Monsoon. 

"  Ah,  Charley  ! "  cried  he,  as  I  seated  myself  beside 
him,  "what  a  pity  all  our  fun  is  so  soon  to  have  an  end! 
Here's  this  confounded  Soult  won't  be  quiet  and  peace- 
able ;  but  he  must  march  upon  Oporto,  and  Heaven  knows 
where  besides,  just  as  we  were  really  beginning  to  enjoy 
life.  I  had  got  such  a  contract  for  blankets !  and  now 
they've  ordered  me  to  join  Beresford's  corps  in  the  moun- 
tains ;  and  you," — here  he  dropped  his  voice, — "  and  you 
were  getting  on  so  devilish  well  in  this  quarter ;  upon  my 
life,  I  think  you'd  have  carried  the  day  ;  old  Don  Emanuel 
— you  know  he  is  a  friend  of  mine — likes  you  very  much. 

And  then,  there's  Sparks " 

"  Ay,  Major,  what  of  him  ?  I  have  not  seen  him  for  some 
days." 

"  Why,  they've  been  frightening  the  poor  devil  out  of  his 
life,  O'Shaughnessy  and  a  set  of  them.  They  tried  him  by 
court-martial  yesterday,  and  sentenced  him  to  mount  guard 
with  a  wooden  sword  and  a  shooting  jacket,  which  he  did. 


820  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

Old  Colbonrne,  it  seems,  saw  him  ;  and,  faith,  there  would 
be  the  devil  to  pay  if  the  route  had  not  come.  Some  of 
them  would  certainly  have  got  a  long  leave  to  see  their 
friends." 

"Why  is  not  the  Senhora  here,  Major  ?  I  don't  see  her 
at  table." 

"  A  cold ;  a  sore  throat ;  a  wet-feet  affair  of  last  night,  I 
believe.  Pass  that  cold  pie  down  here.  Sherry,  if  you 
please.  You  didn't  see  Power  to-day  ?  " 

"  No :  we  parted  late  last  night ;  I  have  not  been  to  bed." 

"  Very  bad  preparation  for  a  march :  take  some  burnt 
brandy  in  your  coffee." 

"  Then  you  don't  think  the  Senhora  will  appear  ?  " 

"  Very  unlikely.  But  stay,  you  know  her  room — the 
small  drawing-room  that  looks  out  upon  the  flower-garden  ; 
she  usually  passes  the  morning  there.  Leap  the  little 
wooden  paling  round  the  corner,  and  the  chances  are  ten  to 
one  you  find  her." 

I  saw  from  the  occupied  air  of  Don  Antonio  that  there 
was  little  fear  of  interruption  on  his  part ;  so,  taking  an 
early  moment  to  escape  unobserved,  I  rose  and  left  the 
room.  When  I  sprang  over  the  oak  fence,  I  found  myself 
in  a  delicious  little  garden,  where  roses,  grown  to  a  height 
never  seen  in  our  colder  climate,  formed  a  deep  bower  of 
rich  blossom. 

The  Major  was  right.  The  Senhora  was  in  the  room, 
and  in  one  moment  I  was  beside  her. 

"Nothing  but  my  fears  of  not  bidding  you  farewell  could 
palliate  my  thus  intruding,  Donna  Inez  ;  but  as  we  are 
ordered  away " 

"  When  ?  not  so  soon,  surely  ?  " 

"  Even  so ;  to-day,  this  very  hour.  But  you  see  that, 
even  in  the  hurry  of  departure,  I  have  not  forgotten  my 
trust ;  this  is  the  packet  I  promised  you." 

So  saying,  I  -placed  the  paper  with  the  lock  of  hair 
within  her  hand,  and,  bending  downwards,  pressed  my  lips 
upon  her  taper  fingers.  She  hurriedly  snatched  her  hand 
away,  and,  tearing  open  the  enclosure,  took  out  the  lock 
She  looked  steadily  for  a  moment  at  it,  then  at  me,  and  again 
at  it,  and,  at  length,  bursting  into  a  fit  of  laughing,  threw 
herself  upon  a  chair  in  a  very  ecstasy  of  mirth. 

"  Why,  you  don't  mean  to  impose  this  auburn  ringlet 


THE   FAREWELL.  821 

upon  me  for  one  of  poor  Howard's  jetty  curls  ?  What 
downright  folly  to  think  of  it!  and  then,  with  how  little 
taste  the  deception  was  practised — upon  your  very  temples, 
too !  One  comfort  is,  you  are  utterly  spoiled  by  it." 

Here  she  again  relapsed  into  a  tit  of  laughter,  leaving 
me  perfectly  puzzled  what  to  think  of  her,  as  she  re- 
sumed : 

"  Well,  tell  me  now,  am  I  to  reckon  this  as  a  pledge  of 
your  own  allegiance,  or  am  I  still  to  believe  it  to  be  Edward 
Howard's  ?  Speak,  and  truly." 

"  Of  my  own,  most  certainly,"  said  I,  "  if  it  will  be 
accepted." 

"  Why,  after  such  treachery,  perhaps  it  ought  not ;  but, 
still,  as  you  have  already  done  yourself  such  injury,  and 
look  so  very  silly  withal " 

"  That  you  are  even  resolved  to  give  me  cause  to  look 
more  so,"  added  I. 

"  Exactly,"  said  she ;  "  for  here,  now,  I  reinstate  you 
among  my  true  and  faithful  admirers.  Kneel  down,  sir 
knight !  in  token  of  which  you  will  wear  this  scarf " 

A  sudden  start  which  the  Donna  gave  at  these  words 
brought  me  to  my  feet.  She  was  pale  as  death  and 
trembling. 

"  What  means  this  ?  "  said  I.     "  What  has  happened  ?  " 

She  pointed  with  her  finger  towards  the  garden ;  but, 
though  her  lips  moved,  no  voice  came  forth.  I  sprang 
through  the  open  window.  I  rushed  into  the  copse,  the 
only  one  which  might  afford  concealment  for  a  figure,  but 
no  one  was  there.  After  a  few  minutes'  vain  endeavour  to 
discover  any  trace  of  an  intruder,  I  returned  to  the  chamber. 
The  Ponna  was  there  still ;  but  how  changed  !  her  gaiety 
and  animation  were  gone,  her  pale  cheek  and  trembling  lip 
bespoke  fear  and  suffering,  and  her  cold  hand  lay  heavily 
beside  her. 

"  I  thought — perhaps  it  was  merely  fancy — but  I  thought 
I  saw  Trevyllian  beside  the  window." 

"  Impossible  !  "  said  I.  "  I  have  searched  every  walk  and 
alley.  It  was  nothing  but  imagination — believe  me,  no 
more.  There,  be  assured ;  think  no  more  of  it." 

While  I  endeavoured  thus  to  reassure  her,  I  was  very  far 
from  feeling  perfectly  at  ease  myself;  the  whole  bearing 
and  conduct  of  this  man  had  inspired  me  with  a  growing 


822  CHARLES  O'MALLET. 

dislike  of  him,  and  I  felt  already  half-convinced  that  he 
had  established  himself  as  a  spy  upon  my  actions. 

"  Then  you  really  believe  I  was  mistaken  ?  "  said  the 
Donna,  as  she  placed  her  hand  within  mine. 

"  Of  course  I  do  ;  but  speak  no  more  of  it.  You  must 
not  forget  how  few  my  moments  are  here.  Already  I  have 
heard  the  tramp  of  horses  without ;  ah !  there  they  are : 
in  a  moment  more  I  shall  be  missed  ;  so,  once  more, 

fairest  Inez Nay,  I  beg  pardon  if  I  have  dared  to  call 

you  thus :  but  think,  if  it  be  the  first  it  may  also  be  the 
last  time  I  shall  ever  speak  it." 

Her  head  gently  drooped  as  I  said  these  words,  till  it 
sunk  upon  my  shoulder,  her  long  and  heavy  hair  falling 
upon  my  neck  and  across  my  bosom.  I  felt  her  heart 
almost  beat  against  my  side  ;  I  muttered  some  words,  1 
know  not  what  ;  I  felt  them  like  a  prayer ;  I  pressed  her 
cold  forehead  to  my  lips  ;  rushed  from  the  room  ;  cleared 
the  fence  at  a  spring,  and  was  for  upon  the  road  to  Lisbon 
ere  I  could  sufficiently  collect  my  senses  to  know  whither 
I  was  going.  Of  little  else  was  I  conscious  ;  my  mind  was 
full  to  bursting,  and,  in  the  confusion  of  my  excited  brain, 
fiction  and  reality  were  so  inextricably  mingled  as  to  defy 
every  endeavour  at  discrimination.  But  little  time  had  I 
for  reflection ;  as  I  reached  the  city,  the  brigade  to  which 
I  was  attached  was  already  under  arms,  and  Mike  impa- 
tiently waiting  my  arrival  with  the  horses. 


823 


CHAPTER  XLIIL 

THE    MARCH. 

WHAT  a  strange  spectacle  did  the  road  to  Oliveira  present 
upon  the  morning  of  the  7th  of  May  !  A  hurried  or  in- 
cautious observer  might,  at  first  sight,  have  pronounced  the 
long  line  of  troops  which  wended  their  way  through  the 
valley  as  the  remains  of  a  broken  and  routed  army,  hail 
not  the  ardent  expression  and  bright  eye  that  beamed  on 
every  side  assured  him  that  men  who  looked  thus  conld 
not  be  beaten  ones.  Horse,  foot,  baggage,  artillery,  dis- 
mounted dragoons,  even  the  pale  and  scarcely  recoven-tl 
inhabitants  of  the  hospital,  might  have  been  seen  hurrying 
on  ;  for  the  order,  "  Forward !"  had  been  given  at  Lisbon, 
and  those  whose  wounds  did  not  permit  their  joining,  were 
more  pitied  for  their  loss  than  its  cause.  More  than  one 
officer  was  seen  at  the  head  of  his  troop  with  an  arm  in  a 
sling,  or  a  bandaged  forehead ;  while,  among  the  men,  simi- 
lar evidences  of  devotion  were  not  unfrequent.  As  for 
me,  long  years  and  many  reverses  have  not  obliterated — 
scarcely  blunted — the  impression  that  sight  made  on  me. 
The  splendid  spectacle  of  a  review  had  often  excited  and 
delighted  me ;  but  here  there  was  the  glorious  reality  of 
war;  the  bronzed  faces,  the  worn  uniforms,  the  well- 
tattered  flags,  the  roll  of  the  heavy  guns  mingling  with  the 
wild  pibroch  of  the  Highlander,  or  scarcely  less  wild  reck- 
lessness of  the  Jrish  quick  step;  while  the  long  line  of 
cavalry,  their  helmets  and  accoutrements  shining  in  the 
morning  eun,  brought  back  one's  boyish  dreams  of  joust 
and  tournament,  and  made  the  heart  beat  high  with  chival- 
rous enthusiasm. 

"  Yes,"  said  I,  half  aloud,  "this  is  indeed  a  realization 
of  what  I  longed  and  thirsted  for,"  the  clang  of  the  music 
and  the  tramp  of  the  cavalry  responding  to  my  throbbing 
pul&es  as  we  moved  along. 


824  CHARLES  O'MALLET. 

"Close  up,  there  ;  trot!"  cried  out  a  deep  and  manly 
voice  ;  and  immediately  a  general  officer  rode  by,  followed 
by  an  aide-de-camp. 

"  There  goes  Cotton,"  said  Power ;  "  you  may  feel  easy 
in  your  mind  now,  Charley  ;  there's  some  work  before  us." 

"You  have  not  heard  our  destination?"  said  I. 

"  Nothing  is  known  for  certain,  yet.  The  report  goes, 
that  Sonlfc  is  advancing  upon  Oporto ;  and  the  chances  are, 
Sir  Arthur  intends  to  hasten  on  to  its  relief.  Our  fellows 
are  at  Ovar,  with  General  Murray." 

"  I  say,  Charley,  old  Monsoon  is  in  a  devil  of  a  flurry. 
He  expected  to  have  been  peaceably  settled  down  in  Lisbon 
for  the  next  six  months,  and  he  has  received  orders  to  set 
out  for  Beresford's  head-quarters  immediately ;  and,  from 
what  I  hear,  they  have  no  idle  time." 

"  Well,  Sparks,  how  goes  it  man  ?  Better  fun  this  than 
the  cook's  galley,  eh  ?" 

"  Why,  do  you  know,  these  hurried  movements  put  me 
out  confoundedly.  I  found  Lisbon  very  interesting,  the 
little  I  could  see  of  it  last  night." 

"  Ah !  my  dear  fellow,  think  of  the  lovely  Andalusian 
lasses,  with  their  brown  transparent  skins  and  liquid  eyes ; 
why,  you'd  have  been  over  head  and  ears  in  love  in  twenty- 
four  hours  more,  had  we  stayed." 

"  Are  they  really  so  pretty  ?  " 

"  Pretty  ! — downright  lovely,  man.  Why,  they  have  f 
way  of  looking  at  you,  over  their  fans — just  one  glance, 

short  and  fleeting,  but  so  melting,  by  Jove Then 

their  walk — if  it  be  not  profane  to  call  that  springing, 
elastic  gesture  by  such  a  name — why  it's  regular  witch- 
craft. Sparks,  my  man,  I  tremble  for  you.  Do  you  know, 
by  the  bye,  that  same  pace  of  theirs  is  a  devilish  hard  thing 
to  learn.  I  never  could  come  it ;  and  yet,  somehow,  I  was 
formerly  rather  a  crack  fellow  at  a  ballet.  Old  Alberto 
used  to  select  me  for  a  pas  de  zepJiyr  among  a  host ;  but 
there's  a  kind  of  a  hop,  and  a  slide,  and  a  spring — in  fact, 
you  must  have  been  wearing  petticoats  for  eighteen  years, 
and  have  an  Andalusian  instep,  and  an  india-rubber  sole  to 
your  foot,  or  it's  no  use  trying  it.  How  I  used  to  make 
them  laugh  at  the  old  San  Josef  convent,  formerly,  by  my 
efforts  in  the  cause!" 

"  Why,  how  did  it  ever  occur  to  you  to  practise  it  ?  *' 


THE   MARCH.  825 

"  Many  a  man's  legs  have  saved  his  head,  Charley,  and 
I  put  it  to  mine  to  do  a  similar  office  for  me." 

"  True  ;  but  I  never  heard  of  a  man  that  performed  a 
pet  sevl  before  the  enemy." 

"Not  exactly;  but  still  you're  not  very  wide  of  the 
mark.  If  you'll  only  wait  till  we  reach  Pontalegue,  I'll 
tell  you  the  story ;  not  that  it  is  worth  the  delay,  but 
talking  at  this  brisk  pace  I  don't  admire." 

"  You  leave  a  detachment  here,  Captain  Power,"  said 
an  aide-de-camp,  riding  hastily  up ;  "  and  General  Cotton 
requests  you  will  send  a  subaltern  and  two  sergeants  for- 
ward towards  Berar,  to  reconnoitre  the  pass.  Franchesca's 
cavalry  are  reported  in  that  quarter."  So  speaking,  he 
dashed  spurs  to  his  horse,  and  was  out  of  sight  in  an 
instant. 

Power,  at  the  same  moment,  wheeled  to  the  rear,  from 
which  he  returned  in  an  instant,  accompanied  by  three 
well-mounted  light  dragoons.  "  Sparks,"  said  he,  "  now 
for  an  occasion  of  distinguishing  yourself.  You  heard  the 
order — lose  no  time ;  and,  as  your  horse  is  an  able  one, 
and  fresh,  lose  not  a  second,  but  forward." 

No  sooner  was  Sparks  despatched  on,  what  it  was  evi 
dent  he  felt  to  be  anything  but  a  pleasant  duty,  than  I 
turned  towards  Power,  and  said,  with  some  tinge  of  dis- 
appointment in  the  tone,  "  Well,  if  you  really  felt  there 
was  anything  worth  doing  there — I  flattered  myself — 
that " 

"  Speak  out,  man.  That  I  should  have  sent  you,  eh — 
is  it  not  so?" 

"Yes,  you've  hit  it." 

"  Well,  Charley,  my  peace  is  easily  made  on  this  head. 
Why,  I  selected  Sparks  simply  to  spare  you  one  of  the 
most  unpleasant  duties  that  can  be  imposed  upon  a  man  ; 
a  duty  which,  let  him  discharge  it  to  the  uttermost,  will 
never  be  acknowledged,  and  the  slightest  failure  in  which 
will  be  remembered  for  many  a  day  against  him  ;  besides 
the  pleasant  and  very  probable  prospect  of  being  selected 
as  a  bull's  eye  for  a  French  rifle,  or  carried  off  a  prisoner  ; 
eh,  Charley  ?  there's  no  glory  in  that,  devil  a  ray  of  it ! 
Come,  come,  old  fellow,  Fred  Power's  not  the  man  to 
keep  his  1'rieud  out  of  the  melee  if  only  anything  can  he 
made  by  being  in  it.  Poor  Sparks,  I'd  swear,  is  as  little 


826  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

satisfied  with  the  arrangement  as  yourself,  if  one  knew 
but  all." 

"I  say,  Power,"  said  a  tall,  dashing-looking  man  of 
about  five-and-forty,  with  a  Portuguese  order  on  his  breast 
— "  I  say,  Power,  dine  wit'i  us  at  the  halt." 

"  With  pleasure,  if  I  may  bring  my  young  friend  here." 

**  Of  course  ;  pray  introduce  us." 

"  Major  Hixley,  Mr.  O'Malley, — a  14th  man,  Hixley." 

**  Delighted  to  make  your  acquaintance,  Mr.  O'Malley. 
Knew  n  famous  fellow  in  Ireland  of  your  name,  a  certain 
Godfrey  O'Malley,  member  for  some  county  or  other." 

"  Mj  ancle,"  said  I,  blushing  deeply,  with  a  pleasurable 
feeling,  at  even  this  slight  praise  of  my  oldest  friend. 

"  Your  uncle  !  give  me  your  hand.  By  Jove,  his  nephew 
has  a  right  to  good  treatment  at  my  hands  ;  he  saved  my 
life  in  the  year  '98  ;  and  how  is  old  Godfrey  ?  " 

"  Quite  well,  when  I  left  him  some  months  ago ;  a  little 
gout  now  and  then." 

"  To  be  sure  he  has  ;  no  man  deserves  it  better ;  but  it's 
a  gentlemanlike  gout,  that  merely  jogs  his  memory  in 
the  morning  of  the  good  wine  he  has  drank  overnight. 
By  the  by,  what  became  of  a  friend  of  his,  a  devilish 
eccentric  fellow,  who  held  a  command  in  the  Austrian 
service  ?  " 

"  Oh,  Considine— the  Count?  " 

"The  same." 

"  As  eccentric  as  ever ;  I  left  him  on  a  visit  with  mj 
uncle.  And  Boyle — did  you  know  Sir  Harry  Boyle  ?  " 

"  To  be  sure  I  did  ;  shall  I  ever  forget  him,  and  hi«« 
capital  blunders,  that  kept  me  laughing  the  whole  time  I 
spent  in  Ireland  ?  I  was  in  the  house  when  he  concluded 
a  panegyric  upon  a  friend,  by  calling  him  '  the  father  to 
the  poor,  and  uncle  to  Lord  Donoughmore.'  " 

"  He  was  the  only  man  who  could  render  by  a  bull  what 
it  was  impossible  to  convey  more  correctly,"  said  Power. 
"You've  heard  of  his  duel  with  Dick  Toler  ?  " 

"  Never  ;  let's  hear  it." 

*'  It  was  a  bull  from  beginning  to  end.  Boyle  took  it 
into  his  head  that  Dick  was  a  person  with  whom  he  had 
a  serious  row  in  Cork.  Dick,  on  the  other  hand,  mistook 
Boyle  for  Old  Caples,  whom  he  had  been  pursuing  with 
horse- whipping  intentions  for  aome  months ;  they  met  in 


THE    MA BOH.  827 

Kildare  Street  Club,  and  very  little  colloquy  satisfied  them 
that  they  were  right  in  their  conjectures,  each  party  being 
so  eagerly  ready  to  meet  the  views  of  the  other.  It  never 
was  a  difficult  matter  to  find  a  friend  in  Dublin  ;  and  to 
do  them  justice,  Irish  seconds,  generally  speaking,  are  per- 
fectly free  from  any  imputation  upon  the  score  of  mere 
delay.  No  men  have  less  impertinent  curiosity  as  to  the 
cause  of  the  quarrel ;  wisely  supposing  that  the  principals 
know  their  own  affairs  best,  tney  cautiously  abstain  from 
indulging  any  prying  spirit,  but  proceed  to  discharge  their 
functions  as  best  they  may.  Accordingly,  Sir  Harry  and 
Dick  were  '  set  up,'  as  the  phrase  is,  at  twelve  paces,  and 
to  use  Boyle's  own  words,  for  I  have  heard  him  relate  the 
story, — 

"  We  blazed  away,  sir,  for  three  rounds.  I  put  two  in 
his  hat,  and  one  in  his  neckcloth  ;  his  shots  went  all  through 
the  skirt  of  my  coat. 

" '  We'll  spend  the  day  here,'  says  Considine,  '  at  this 
rate.  Couldn't  you  put  them  closer  ?  ' 

"  *  And  give  us  a  little  more  time  in  the  word,'  says  I. 

"  '  Exactly,'  said  Dick. 

"Well,  they  moved  us  forward  two  paces,  and  set  to 
loading  the  pistols  again. 

"  By  this  time  we  were  so  near,  that  we  had  full  oppor- 
tunity to  scan  each  other's  faces ;  well,  sir,  I  stared  at  him, 
and  he  at  me. 

"What!'  said  I. 

« '  Eh  ! '  said  he. 

4 «  How's  this  ?  '  said  I. 

' '  You're  not  Billy  Caples  ? '  said  he. 

' '  Devil  a  bit,'  said  T,  '  nor  I  don't  think  you're  Archy 
Devine ; '  and,  faith,  sir,  so  it  appeared,  we  were  fighting 
away  all  the  morning  for  nothing  ;  for,  somehow,  it  turned 
out  it  was  neither  of  «*  /  " 

What  amused  me  most  in  this  anecdote  was  the  hearing 
it  at  such  a  time  and  place.  That  poor  Sir  Harry's  eccen- 
tricities should  turn  up  for  discussion  on  a  march  in 
Portugal  was  singular  enough  ;  but,  after  all,  life  is  full  of 
such  incongruous  accidents.  I  remember  once  supping 
with  King  Calzoo  on  the  Blue  Mountains,  in  Jamaica.  By 
way  of  entertaining  his  guests,  some  English  officers,  he 
ordered  one  of  his  suite  to  sing.  We  were  of  course 


828  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

pleased  at  the  opportunity  of  hearing  an  Indian  war-chant, 
with  a  skull  and  thigh-bone  accompaniment ;  but  what  was 
our  astonishment  to  hear  the  Indian — a  ferocious- looking 
dog,  with  an  awful  scalp-lock,  and  two  streaks  of  red  paint 
across  his  chest — clear  his  voice  well  for  a  few  seconds, 
and  then  begin,  without  discomposing  a  muscle  of  his 
gravity,  "  The  Laird  of  Cockpen !  "  I  need  not  say  that  the 
"  Great  Racoon  "  was  a  Dumfries  man,  who  had  quitted 
Scotland  forty  years  before,  and,  with  characteristic  pros- 
perity, had  attained  his  present  rank  in  a  foreign  service. 
"  Halt,  halt !  "  cried  a  deep-toned,  manly  voice  in  the 
leading  column,  and  the  word  was  repeated  from  mouth  to 
mouth  to  the  rear. 

We  dismounted,  and  picketing  our  horses  beneath  the 
broad-leaved  foliage  of  the  cork-trees,  stretched  ourselves 
out  at  full  length  upon  the  grass,  while  our  messmen  pre- 
pared the  dinner.  Our  party  at  first  consisted  of  Hixley, 
Power,  the  Adjutant,  and  myself;  but  our  number  was  soon 
increased  by  three  officers  of  the  6th  Foot,  about  to  join 
their  regiment. 

"  Barring  the  ladies,  God  bless  them ! "  said  Power, 
"  there's  no  such  picnics  as  campaigning  presents  ;  the 
charms  of  scenery  are  greatly  enhanced  by  their  coming 
unexpectedly  on  you.  Your  chance  good  fortune  in  the 
prog  has  an  interest  that  no  ham-and-cold-chicken  affair, 
prepared  by  your  servants  beforehand,  and  got  ready  with 
a  degree  of  fuss  and  worry  that  converts  the  whole  party 
into  an  assembly  of  cooks,  can  ever  afford ;  and,  lastly,  the 
excitement  that  this  same  life  of  ours  is  never  without, 
gives  a  zest " 

"  There  you've  hit  it,"  cried  Hixley;  "  it's  that  same 
feeling  of  uncertainty  that  those  who  meet  now  may  ever 
do  so  again,  full  as  it  is  of  sorrowful  reflection,  that  still 
teaches  us,  as  we  become  inured  to  war,  to  economize  our 
pleasures,  and  be  happy  when  we  may.  Your  health, 
O'Malley,  and  your  uncle  Godfrey's  too." 

"  A  little  more  of  the  pastry  ?  " 

"  What  a  capital  guinea  fowl  this  is  !  " 

"  That's  some  of  old  Monsoon's  own  particular  port." 

"  Pass  it  round  here ;  really  this  is  pleasant." 

"My  blessing  on  the  man  who  left  that  vista  yonder; 
see  what  a  glorious  valley  stretches  out  there,  undulating 


THE    MARCH.  829 

in  its  richness ;  and  look  at  those  dark  trees,  where  just 
one  streak  of  soft  sunlight  is  kissing  their  tops,  giving 
them  one  chaste  good  night " 

"  Well  done,  Power !  " 

"  Confound  yon,  you've  pulled  me  short,  and  I  was  about 
becoming  downright  pastoral.  A  propos  of  kissing,  L 
understand  Sir  Arthur  won't  allow  the  convents  to  be 
occupied  by  troops." 

"  And  d  propos  of  convents,"  said  I,  "  let's  hear  your 
story  ;  yon  promised  it  a  while  ago." 

"  My  dear  Charley,  it's  far  too  early  in  the  evening  for  a 
story ;  I  should  rather  indulge  my  poetic  fancies  here, 
under  the  shade  of  melancholy  boughs.  And,  besides,  I 
am  not  half  screwed  up  yet !  " 

"  Come,  Adjutant,  let's  have  a  song." 

"  I'll  sing  you  a  Portuguese  serenade  when  the  next 
bottle  comes  in.  What  capital  port !  Have  you  much 
of  it  ?  " 

"  Only  three  dozen.  We  got  it  late  last  night ;  forged 
an  order  from  the  commanding  officer,  and  sent  it  up  to  old 
Monsoon — 'for  hospital  use.'  He  gave  it  with  a  tear  in 
his  eye,  saying,  as  the  sergeant  marched  away,  '  Only 
think  of  such  wine  for  fellows  that  may  be  in  the  next 
world  before  morning.  It's  a  downright  sin !  '  ' 

"  I  say,  Power,  there's  something  going  on  there." 

At  this  instant  the  trumpet  sounded  "  boot  and  saddle," 
and,  like  one  man,  the  whole  mass  rose  up,  when  the  scene, 
late  so  tranquil,  became  one  of  excited  bustle  and  confusion. 
An  aide-de-camp  galloped  past  towards  the  river,  followed 
by  two  orderly  sergeants  ;  and  the  next  moment  Sparks 
rode  up,  his  whole  equipment  giving  evidence  of  a  hurried 
ride,  while  his  cheek  was  deadly  pale  and  haggard. 

Power  presented  to  him  a  goblet  of  sherry,  which  having 
emptied  at  a  draught,  he  drew  a  long  breath,  and  said, — 

"  They  are  coming — coming  in  force." 

"  Who  are  coming  ?  "  said  Power ;  "  take  time,  man, 
and  collect  yourself." 

"  The  French !  I  saw  them  a  devilish  deal  closer  than  I 
liked ;  they  wounded  one  of  the  orderlies,  and  took  the 
other  prisoner." 

"  Forward ! "  cried  out  a  hoarse  voice  in  the  front. 
"March— trot!" 


330  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

And  before  we  could  obtain,  any  further  information 
from  Sparks,  whose  faculties  seemed  to  have  received  a 
terrific  shock,  we  were  once  more  in  the  saddle,  and  moving 
at  a  brisk  pace  onward. 

Sparks  had  barely  time  to  tell  us  that  a  large  body  of 
French  cavalry  occupied  the  pass  of  Berar,  when  he  was 
sent  for  by  General  Cotton  to  finish  his  report. 

"  How  frightened  the  fellow  is !  "  said  Hixley. 

"  I  don't  think  the  worse  of  poor  Sparks  for  all  that," 
said  Power ;  "  he  saw  these  fellows  for  the  first  time,  and 
no  bird's-eye  view  of  them  either." 

"  Then  we  are  in  for  a  skirmish  at  least,"  said  I. 

"  It  would  appear  not,  from  that,"  said  Hixley,  pointing 
to  the  head  of  the  column,  which,  leaving  the  high  road 
upon  the  left,  entered  the  forest  by  a  deep  cleft  that  opened 
upon  a  valley  traversed  by  a  broad  river. 

"  That  looks  very  like  taking  up  a  position,  though," 
said  Power. 

"  Look — look  down  yonder  !  "  cried  Hixley,  pointing  to 
a  dip  in  the  plain  beside  the  river ;  "  is  there  not  a  cavalry 
picket  there  ?" 

"  Bight,  by  Jove  1  I  say,  Fitzroy,"  said  Power  to  an 
aide-de-camp  as  he  passed,  "  what's  going  on  ?  " 

"Soulthas  carried  Oporto,"  cried  he,  "and  Franchesca's 
cavalry  have  escaped." 

"  And  who  are  these  fellows  in  the  valley  P  " 

"  Our  own  people  coming  up." 

In  less  than  half  an  hour's  brisk  trotting  we  reached  the 
stream,  the  banks  of  which  were  occupied  by  two  cavalry 
regiments  advancing  to  the  main  army ;  and  what  was  my 
delight  to  find  that  one  of  them  was  our  own  corps,  the 
14th  Light  Dragoons. 

"  Hurra !  "  cried  Power,  waving  his  cap  as  he  came  up. 
"  How  are  you,  Sedgewick  ?  Baker,  my  hearty,  how  goes 
it  P  How  is  Hampton  and  the  Colonel  ?  " 

In  an  instant  we  were  surrounded  by  our  brother  officers, 
who  all  shook  me  cordially  by  the  hand,  and  welcomed  me 
to  the  regiment  with  most  gratifying  warmth. 

"  One  of  us,"  said  Power,  with  a  knowing  look,  as  he 
introduced  me  ;  and  the  freemasonry  of  these  few  words 
secured  me  a  hearty  greeting. 

"  Halt,  halt !  Dismount !  "  sounded  again  from  front  to 


THE    MARCH.  881 

rear  ;  and  in  a  few  minutes  we  were  once  more  stretched 
upon  the  grass,  beneath  the  deep  and  mellow  moonlight, 
while  the  bright  stream  ran  placidly  beside  us,  reflecting 
on  its  calm  surface  the  varied  groups  as  they  lounged  or 
eat  around  the  blazing  fires  of  the  bivouac. 


CHAPTER  XLIV. 

THE    BIVOUAC. 

WHEN  I  contrasted  the  gay  and  lively  tone  of  the  conver- 
sation which  ran  on  around  our  bivouac  fire,  with  the  dry 
monotony  and  pronaic  tediousness  of  my  first  military 
dinner  at  Cork,  I  felt  how  much  the  spirit  and  adventure 
of  a  soldier's  life  can  impart  of  chivalrous  enthusiasm  to 
even  the  dullest  and  least  susceptible.  I  saw  even  many 
who,  under  common  circumstances,  would  have  possessed 
no  interest,  nor  excited  any  curiosity,  but  now,  connected 
as  they  were  with  the  great  events  occurring  around  them, 
absolutely  became  heroes  ;  and  it  was  with  a  strange,  wild 
throbbing  of  excitement,  I  listened  to  the  details  of  move- 
ments and  marches,  whose  objects  I  knew  not,  but  in  which 
the  magical  words,  Corunna,  Vimeira,  were  mixed  up,  and 
gave  to  the  circumstances  an  interest  of  the  highest 
character.  How  proud  too,  I  felt,  to  be  the  companion  in 
arms  of  such  fellows !  here  they  sat,  the  tried  and  proved 
soldiers  of  a  hundred  fights,  treating  me  as  their  brother 
and  their  equal  Who  need  wonder  if  I  felt  a  sense  of 
excited  pleasure  ?  Had  T  needed  such  a  stimulant,  that 
night  beneath  the  cork-trees  had  been  enough  to  arouse  a 
passion  for  the  army  in  my  heart,  and  an  irrepressible 
determination  to  seek  for  a  soldier's  glory. 

Vol.  30— (12) 


882  OHABLES  O'MALLEY, 

*'  Fourteenth  !  "  called  out  a  voice  from  the  wood  be« 
hind  ;  and,  in  a  moment  after,  the  aide-de-camp  appeared 
with  a  mounted  orderly. 

"Colonel  Merivale?"  said  he,  touching  his  cap  to  the 
stalwart,  soldier-like  figure  before  him. 

The  Colonel  bowed. 

"  Sir  Stapleton  Cotton  desires  me  to  request  that  at  an 
early  hour  to-morrow  you  will  occupy  the  pass,  and  cover 
the  march  of  the  troops.  It  is  his  wish  that  all  the  rein- 
forcements should  arrive  at  Oporto  by  noon.  I  need 
scarcely  add,  that  we  expect  to  be  engaged  with  the 
enemy  " 

These  few  words  were  spoken  hurriedly,  and,  again 
saluting  onr  party,  he  turned  his  horse's  head  and  con- 
tinued his  way  towards  the  rear. 

"  There's  news  for  you,  Charley,"  said  Power,  slapping 
me  on  the  shoulder.  "  Lucy  Dashwood  or  Westminster 
Abbey ! " 

"  The  regiment  was  never  in  finer  condition,  that's 
certain,"  said  the  Colonel,  "  and  most  eager  for  a  brush 
with  the  enemy." 

"How  your  old  friend,  the  Count,  would  have  liked 
this  work,"  said  Hixley  ;  "  gallant  fellow  he  was." 

"  Come,"  cried  Power,  "  here's  a  fresh  bowl  coming. 
Let's  drink  the  ladies,  wherever  they  be :  we  most  of  us 
have  some  soft  spot  on  that  score." 

"  Yes,"  said  the  Adjutant,  singing : 

"  '  Here's  to  tbe  maiden  of  blushing  fifteen, 

Here's  to  the  damsel  that's  merry, 
Here's  to  the  flaunting,  extravagant  quean——'  * 

**And,"  sang  Power,  interrupting, — 

"  Here's  to  the  '  Widow  of  Derry.'  " 

"  Come,  come,  Fred,  no  more  quizzing  on  that  score. 
It's  the  only  thing  ever  gives  me  a  distaste  to  the  service, 
the  souvenir  of  that  adventure.  When  I  reflect  what  I 
might  have  been,  and  think  what  I  am  ;  when  I  contrast  a 
Brussls  carpet  with  wet  grass,  silk  hangings  \\  ith  a  canvas 
tent,  Sneyd's  claret  with  ration  brandy,  and  Sir  Arthur 
for  a  Commander-in- Chief  vice  Boggs,  a  widow  • 


THE   BIVOUAC.  888 

"  Stop  there,"  cried  Hixley  ;  "  without  disparaging  the 
fair  widow,  there's  nothing  beats  campaigning,  after  all : 
eh  Fred  ?  " 

"  And  to  prove  it,"  said  the  Colonel,  "  Power  will  sing 
us  a  song." 

Power  took  his  pencil  from  his  pocket,  and,  placing  the 
back  of  a  letter  across  his  shako,  commenced  inditing  his 
lyric  ;  saying,  as  he  did  so, — 

"  I'm  your  man  in  five  minutes  :  just  fill  my  glass  in  the 
mean  time." 

"That  fellow  beats  Dibdin  hollow,"  whispered  the 
Adjutant.  "  I'll  be  hanged  if  he'll  not  knock  you  off  a 
song  like  lightning." 

"  I  understand,"  said  Hixley,  "  They  have  some  intention 
at  the  Horse  Guards  of  having  all  the  general  orders  set 
to  popular  tunes,  and  sung  at  every  mess  in  the  service. 
You've  heard  that,  I  suppose,  Sparks  ?  " 

"  I  confess  I  had  not  before." 

"  It  will  certainly  come  very  hard  upon  the  subalterns," 
continued  Hixley,  with  much  gravity ;  "  they'll  have  to 
brush  up  their  sol  mi  fas ;  all  the  solos  are  to  be  their 
part." 

"  What  rhymes  with  slaughter  P  "  said  Power. 

"  Brandy-and- water  !"  said  the  Adjutant. 

"  Now,  then,"  said  Power,  "  are  you  all  ready  ?  ** 

"  Ready  ! " 

"You  must  chorus,  mind  ;  and,  mark  me,  take  care  you 
give  the  hip,  hip,  hurra  !  well,  as  that's  the  whole  force  of 
the  chant.  Take  the  time  from  me.  Now  for  it.  Air, 
*Garryowen,'  with  spirit,  but  not  too  quick  : — 

"  Now  that  we've  pledged  each  eye  of  blue, 
And  every  maiden  fair  and  true, 
And  our  green  island  home — to  you 

The  ocean's  wave  adorning, 
Let's  give  one  hip,  hip,  hip,  hurra  t 
And  drink  e'en  to  the  coming  day, 
When,  squadron  square, 
We  Hall  be  there, 
To  meet  the  French  in  the  morning. 

**  May  his  bright  laurels  never  fade, 
Who  leads  our  fiphting  fifth  brigade, 
Those  lads  so  true  in  heart  and  blade, 
And  famed  for  danger  scorning : 


884  OHAKLES  O'MALLEY. 

80  join  me  in  one  hip,  hurra  t 
And  drink  e'en  to  the  coming  day, 

When  squadron  square, 

We'll  all  be  there, 
To  meet  the  French  in  the  morning 

"  And,  when  with  years  and  honours  crowned, 
You  sit  some  homeward  hearth  around, 
And  hear  no  more  the  stirring  sound 

That  spoke  the  trumpet's  warning,— 
Tou'll  fill,  and  drink,  one  hip,  hurra ! 
And  pledge  the  memory  of  the  day, 
When,  squadron  square, 
They  all  were' there, 
To  meet  the  French  in  the  morning." 


"  Gloriously  done,  Fred  ! "  cried  Hixley.  "If  I  ever  get 
my  deserts  in  this  world,  I'll  make  you  Laureate  to  the 
Forces,  with  a  hogshead  of  your  own  native  whisky  for 
every  victory  of  the  army." 

"  A  devilish  good  chant,"  said  Merivale  ;  "  but  the  air 
surpasses  anything  I  ever  heard  :  thoroughly  Irish,  I  take 
it." 

"  Irish !  upon  my  consience,  I  believe  you  1 "  shouted 
O'Shaughnessy,  with  an  energy  of  voice  and  manner  that 
created  a  hearty  laugh  on  all  sides.  "  It's  few  people  ever 
mistook  it  for  a  Venetian  melody.  Hand  over  the  punch 
— the  sherry  I  mean.  When  I  was  in  the  Clare  militia, 
we  always  went  in  to  dinner  to  *  Tatter  Jack  Walsh,'  a 
sweet  air,  and  had  '  Grarryowen,'  for  a  quick  step.  Ould 
M'Manus,  when  he  got  the  regiment,  wanted  to  change ; 
he  said  they  were  damned  vulgar  tunes,  and  wanted  to 
have  '  Rule  Britannia,'  or  the  '  Hundredth  Psalm ;'  but 
we  would  not  stand  it ;  there  would  have  been  a  mutiny 
in  the  corps." 

"  The  same  fellew,  wasn't  he,  that  you  told  the  story  o£ 
the  other  evening,  in  Lisbon  ?  "  said  L 

"  The  same.  Well,  what  a  character  he  was !  As  pom- 
pous and  conceited  a  little  fellow  as  ever  you  met  with  : 
and  then,  he  was  so  bullied  by  his  wife,  he  always  came 
down  to  revenge  it  on  the  regiment.  She  was  a  fine, 
showy,  vulgar  woman,  with  a  most  cherishing  affection  for 
all  the  good  things  in  this  life,  except  her  husband,  whom 


THE   BIVOUAC.  835 

she  certainly  held  in  due  contempt.  '  Ye  little  crayture,1 
she'd  say  to  him  with  a  sneer,  '  it  ill  becomes  yon  to  drink 
and  sing,  and  be  making  a  man  of  yourself.  If  yon  were 

like  O'Shaughnessy  there,  six  foot  three  in  his  stockings ' 

Well,  well,  it  looks  like  boasting ;  but  no  matter :  here's 
her  health,  anyway." 

"  I  knew  you  were  tender  in  that  quarter,"  said  Power. 
"  I  heard  it  when  quartered  in  Limerick." 

*'  May  be  you  heard,  too,  how  I  paid  off  Mac,  when  he 
came  down  on  a  visit  to  that  county?  " 

"  Never :  let's  hear  it  now." 

"  Ay,  O'Shaughnessy,  now's  your  time ;  the  fire's  a  good 
one,  the  night  fine,  the  liquor  plenty." 

"I'm  conoanient,"  said  O'Shaughnessy,  as,  depositing 
his  enormous  legs  on  each  side  of  the  burning  fagots, 
and  placing  a  bottle  between  his  knees,  he  began  hia 
Btory : — 

"  It  was  a  cold  rainy  night  in  January,  in  the  year  '98, 1 
took  my  place  in  the  Limerick  mail,  to  go  down  for  a  few 
days  to  the  west  country.  As  the  waiter  of  the  Hibernian 
came  to  the  door  with  a  lantern,  I  just  caught  a  glimpse 
of  the  other  insides  ;  none  of  whom  were  known  to  me, 
except  Colonel  M'Manus,  that  I  met  once  in  a  boarding- 
house  in  Molesworth  Street.  I  did  not,  at  the  time, 
think  him  a  very  agreeable  companion ;  but,  when 
morning  broke,  and  we  began  to  pay  our  respects  to  each 
other  in  the  coach,  I  leaned  over,  and  said,  '  I  hope  you're 
well,  Colonel  M'Manus,'  just  by  way  of  civility  like.  He 
didn't  hear  me  at  first ;  so  that  I  said  it  again,  a  little 
louder. 

"  I  wish  you  saw  the  look  he  gave  me ;  he  drew 
himself  up  to  the  height  of  his  cotton  umbrella,  put 
Ms  chin  inside  his  cravat,  purRed  up  his  dry,  shrivelled 
lips,  and,  with  a  voice  he  meant  to  be  awful,  replied, — 

" '  You  appear  to  have  the  advantage  of  me.' 

" '  Upon  my  conscience,  you're  right,'  said  I,  looking 
down  at  myself,  and  then  over  at  him,  at  which  the  other 
travellers  burst  out  a  laughing — '  I  think  there's  few  will 
dispute  that  point.'  When  the  laugh  was  over,  I  resumed 
—for  I  was  determined  not  to  let  him  off  so  easily.  '  Sure 
I  met  you  at  Mrs.  Cayle's,'  said  I ;  '  and  by  the  same  token 
— it  was  a  Friday,  I  remember  it  well, — maybe  you  didn't 


886  OHABLES  O'MALLEY. 

pitch  into  the  salt  cod  ?  I  hope  it  didn't  disagree  with 
you?' 

" '  I  beg  to  repeat,  sir,  that  you  are  under  a  mistake,' 
said  he. 

" '  Maybe  so,  indeed,'  said  I.  '  Maybe  you're  not  Colonel 
M'Manus  at  all ;  maybe  you  wasn't  in  a  passion  for  losing 
seven-and-sixpence  at  loo  with  Mrs.  Moriarty ;  maybe 
you  didn't  break  the  lamp  in  the  hall  with  your  um« 
brella,  pretending  you  touched  it  with  your  head,  and 
wasn't  within  three  foot  of  it  ;  maybe  Counsellor 
Brady  wasn't  going  to  put  you  in  the  box  of  the 
Foundling  Hospital,  if  you  wouldn't  behave  quietly  in  the 
streets  * 

"  Well,  with  this  the  others  laughed  so  heartily,  that  I 
could  not  go  on ;  and  the  next  stage  the  bold  Colonel  got 
outside  with  the  guard,  and  never  came  in  till  we  reached 
Limerick.  I'll  never  forget  his  face,  as  he  got  down  at 
Swinburne's  Hotel.  '  Good-bye,  Colonel,'  said  I ;  but  he 
wouldn't  take  the  least  notice  of  my  politeness,  but,  with 
a  frown  of  utter  defiance,  he  turned  on  his  heel  and  walked 
away. 

" '  I  haven't  done  with  you  yet,'  says  I ;  and,  faith,  I  kept 
my  word. 

"  I  hadn't  gone  ten  yards  down  the  street,  when  I  met 
my  old  friend  Darby  O'Grady. 

" '  Shaugh,  my  boy,'  says  he, — he  called  me  that  way  for 
shortness, — '  dine  with  me  to-day  at  Mosey's :  a  green  goose 
and  gooseberries ;  six  to  a  minute.' 

"  *  Who  have  you  ?  '  says  I. 

"  *  Tom  Keane  and  the  Wallers,  a  counsellor  or  two,  and 
one  M'Manus,  from  Dublin.' 

'"The  Colonel?' 

'"The  same,'  said  he. 

" '  I'm  there,  Darby  1 '  said  I ;  '  but  mind,  you  never  saw 
me  before.' 

" '  What !  "  said  he. 

"  '  You  never  set  eyes  on  me  before ;  mind  that.' 

"  *  I  understand,'  said  Darby,  with  a  wink ;  and  we 
parted. 

"  I  certainly  was  never  very  particular  about  dressing 
for  dinner,  but  on  this  day  I  spent  a  considerable  time 
at  my  toilette;  and,  when  I  looked  in  my  glass  at  its 


THE   BIVOUAC.  837 

completion,  was  well  satisfied  that  I  had  done  myself 
justice.  A  waistcoat  of  brown  rabbit-skin  with  flaps,  a  red 
worsted  comforter  round  my  neck,  an  old  grey  shooting 
jacket,  with  a  brown  patch  on  the  arm,  corduroys  and 
leather  gaiters,  with  a  tremendous  oak  cudgel  in  my 
hand,  made  me  a  most  presentable  figure  for  a  dinner 
party. 

"  '  Will  I  do,  Darby  ?  '  says  I,  as  he  came  into  my  room 
before  dinner. 

"  '  If  it's  for  robbing  the  mail  you  are,'  says  he,  '  nothing 
could  be  better.  Your  father  wouldn't  know  you  !  ' 

" '  Would  I  be  the  better  of  a  wig  ?  ' 

" '  Leave  your  hair  alone,'  said  he.  '  It's  painting  the  lily 
to  alter  it.' 

"  '  Well,  God's  will  be  done,'  says  I,  '  so  come  now.' 

"  Well,  just  as  the  clock  struck  six  I  saw  the  Colonel 
come  out  of  his  room,  in  a  suit  of  most  accurate  sable, 
stockings,  and  pumps.  Downstairs  he  went,  and  I  heard 
the  waiter  announce  him. 

" '  Now's  my  time,'  thought  I,  as  I  followed  slowly 
after. 

"  When  I  reached  the  door  I  heard  several  voices  within, 
among  which  I  recognized  some  ladies.  Darby  had  not 
told  me  about  them ;  *  but  no  matter,'  said  I ;  '  it's  all  as 
well ; '  so  I  gave  a  gentle  tap  at  the  door  with  my 
knuckles. 

"  '  Come  in,'  said  Darby. 

"  I  opened  the  door  slowly,  and,  putting  in  only  my 
head  and  shoulders  took  a  cautious  look  round  the 
room. 

" '  I  beg  pardon,  gentlemen,'  said  I,  '  but  I  was  only 
looking  for  one  Colonel  M'Manus,  and,  as  he  is  not 
here ' 

" '  Pray  walk  in,  sir,'  said  O'Grady,  with  a  polite  bow. 
*  Colonel  M'Manus  is  here.  There's  no  intrusion  whatever. 
I  say,  Colonel,'  said  he,  turning  round,  '  a  gentleman  here 
desires  to ' 

"  '  Never  mind  it  now,'  said  I,  as  I  stepped  cautiously 
into  the  room ;  '  he's  going  to  dinner ;  another  time  will 
do  just  as  well.' 

"  '  Pray  come  in  ? ' 

"  '  I  could  not  thing  of  intruding——* 


888  CHARLES  0*MALLVT. 

"  '  I  must  protest,'  said  M'Manus,  colouring  tip, '  that  I 
cannot  understand  this  gentleman's  visit.' 

" '  It  is  a  little  affair  I  have  to  settle  with  him,'  said  I, 
with  a  fierce  look,  that  I  saw  produced  its  effect. 

" '  Then  perhaps  you  would  do  me  the  very  great  favour 
to  join  him  at  dinner,'  said  O'Grady.  'Any  friend  of 
Colonel  M'Manus——' 

" '  You  are  really  too  good,'  said  I ;  '  but  as  an  utter 
stranger ' 

" '  Never  think  of  that  for  a  moment.  My  friend's 
friend,  as  the  adage  says.' 

" '  Upon  my  conscience,  a  good  saying,'  said  I,  '  but  yon 
see  there's  another  difficulty.  I've  ordered  a  chop  and 
potatoes  up  in  No.  5.' 

"  '  Let  that  be  no  obstacle,'  said  O'Grady.  *  The  waiter 
shall  put  it  in  my  bill;  if  you  will  only  do  me  the 
pleasure.' 

" '  You're  a  trump,'  said  I.     '  What's  your  name  ?  ' 

"  '  O'Grady,  at  your  service.' 

"  *  Any  relation  of  the  counsellor  ?  '  said  I.  '  They're 
all  one  family,  the  O'Gradys.  I'm  Mr.  O'Shaughnessy, 
from  Ennis  ;  won't  you  introduce  me  to  the  ladies  ?  ' 

"  While  the  ceremony  of  presentation  was  going  on  I 
caught  one  glance  at  M'Manus,  and  had  hard  work  not  to 
roar  out  laughing.  Such  an  expression  of  surprise,  amaze- 
ment, indignation,  rage,  and  misery,  never  was  mixed  up 
in  one  face  before.  Speak  he  could  not ;  and  I  saw  that, 
except  for  myself,  he  had  neither  eyes,  ears,  nor  senses  for 
anything  around  him.  Just  at  this  moment  dinner  was 
announced,  and  in  we  went.  I  never  was  in  such  spirits 
in  my  life ;  the  trick  upon  M'Manus  had  succeeded  per- 
fectly ;  he  believed  in  his  heart  that  I  had  never  met 
O'Grady  in  my  life  before,  and  that,  upon  the  faith  of  our 
friendship,  I  had  received  my  invitation.  As  for  me,  I 
spared  him  but  little.  I  kept  up  a  running  fire  of  droll 
stories  ;  had  the  ladies  in  fits  of  laughing,  made  everlast- 
ing allusions  to  the  Colonel ;  and,  in  a  word,  ere  the  soup 
had  disappeared,  except  himself,  the  company  were  entirely 
with  me. 

" '  O'Grady,'  said  I,  '  forgive  the  freedom,  but  I  feel  as 
if  we  were  old  acquaintances.' 

** '  As   Colonel   M'Manus's  friend,'  said  he,  *  you  can 


tHB  BIVOtAO.  839 

take   no  liberty  here  to   which  you  are  not    perfectly 

welcome.' 

" '  Just  what  I  expected,'  said  I.  '  Mac  and  I,' — I  wish 
you  saw  his  face  when  I  called  him  Mac — 'Mac  and  I 
were  schoolfellows  five-and- thirty  years  ago ;  though  he 
forgets  me,  I  don't  forget  him :  to  be  sure  it  would  be  hard 
for  me.  I'm  just  thinking  of  the  day  Bishop  Oulahan 
came  over  to  visit  the  college.  Mac  was  coming  in  at  the 
door  of  the  refrectory  as  the  Bishop  was  going  out. 
"  Take  off  your  caubeen,  you  yonng  scoundrel,  and  kneel 
down  for  his  reverence  to  bless  you,"  said  one  of  the 
masters,  giving  his  hat  a  blow  at  the  same  moment  that 
sent  it  flying  to  the  other  end  of  the  room,  and,  with  it, 
about  twenty  ripe  pears  that  Mac  had  just  stolen  in  the 
orchard,  and  had  in  his  hat.  I  wish  you  only  saw  the 
Bishop  ;  and  Mac  himself,  he  was  a  picture.  Well,  well, 
you  forget  it  all  now,  but  I  remember  it  as  if  it  was  only 
yesterday.  Any  champagne,  Mr.  O'Grady  ?  I'm  mighty 
dry.' 

"  '  Of  course,'  said  Darby.  *  Waiter,  some  champagne 
here.' 

" '  Ah,  it's  himself  was  the  boy  for  every  kind  of  fun 
and  devilment,  quiet  and  demure  as  he  looks  over  there. 
Mac,  your  health.  It's  not  every  day  of  the  week  we  get 
champagne.' 

"  He  laid  down  his  knife  and  fork  as  I  said  this :  his 
face  and  temples  grew  deep  purple,  his  eyes  started  as  if 
they  would  spring  from  his  head,  and  he  put  both  his 
hands  to  his  forehead,  as  if  trying  to  assure  himself  that 
it  was  not  some  horrid  dream. 

"  '  A  little  slice  more  of  the  turkey,'  said  I,  'and  then, 
O'Grady,  I'll  try  your  hock.  It's  a  wine  I'm  mighty  fond 
of,  and  so  is  Mac  there.  Ohl  it's  seldom,  to  tell  you  the 
truth,  it  troubles  us.  There,  fill  up  the  glass ;  that's  it. 
Here  now,  Darby — that's  your  name,  I  think — you'll  not 
think  I'm  taking  a  liberty  in  giving  a  toast :  here,  then, 
I'll  give  M'Manus's  health,  with  all  the  honours  ;  though 
it's  early  yet,  to  be  sure,  but  we'll  do  it  again,  by-and-by, 
when  the  whisky  comes.  Here's  M'Manus's  good  health ! 
and,  though  his  wife,  they  say,  does  not  treat  him  well,  and 
keeps  him  down ' 

"  The  roar  of  laughing  that  interrupted  me  here, 


840  CHARLES  O'MALLET. 

produced  by  the  expression  of  poor  Mac's  face.  He  had 
started  up  from  the  table,  and,  leaning  with  both  his  hands 
upon  it,  stared  round  upon  the  company  like  a  maniac — 
his  mouth  and  eyes  wide  open,  and  his  hair  actually 
bristling  with  amazement.  Thus  he  remained  for  a  full 
minute,  gasping  like  a  fish  in  a  landing-net.  It  seemed  a 
hard  struggle  for  him  to  believe  he  was  not  deranged.  At 
last  his  eyes  fell  upon  me ;  he  uttered  a  deep  groan,  and 
with  a  voice  tremulous  with  rage,  thundered  out : 

"  '  The  scoundrel!  I  never  saw  him  before.' 

"  He  rushed  from  the  room  and  gained  the  street. 
Before  our  roar  of  laughter  was  over  he  had  secured  post- 
horses,  and  was  galloping  towards  Ennis  at  the  top  speed 
of  his  cattle. 

"  He  exchanged  at  once  into  the  line  ;  but  they  say  that 
he  caught  a  glimpse  of  my  name  in  the  army  list,  and  sold 
out  the  next  morning ;  be  that  as  it  may,  we  never  met 
since." 

I  have  related  O'Shaughnessy's  story  here,  rather  from 
the  memory  I  have  of  how  we  all  laughed  at  it  at  the  time, 
than  from  any  feeling  as  to  its  real  desert ;  but,  when  I 
think  of  the  voice,  look,  accent,  and  gesture  of  the  nar- 
rator, I  can  scarcely  keep  myself  from  again  giving  way 
to  laughter. 


CHAPTER  XLV. 

THE    DOORO. 

NEVER  did  the  morning  break  more  beautifully  than  on  the 
12th  of  May,  1809.  Huge  masses  of  fog-like  vapour  had 
succeeded  to  the  starry  cloudless  night,  but,  one  by  one, 
they  moved  onwards  towards  the  sea,  disclosing,  as  they 
passed,  long  tracts  of  lovely  country,  bathed  in  a  rich 
golden  glow.  The  broad  Douro,  with  its  transparent 
current,  shone  out  like  a  bright  coloured  ribbon,  meander- 
ing through  the  deep  garment  of  fairest  green  ;  the  darkly 
shadowed  mountains,  which  closed  the  background,  loomed 
even  larger  than  they  were  ;  while  their  summits  were 
tipped  with  the  yellow  glory  of  the  morning.  The  air 
was  calm  and  still,  and  the  very  smoke  that  arose  from 
the  peasant's  cot,  laboured  as  it  ascended  through  the  per- 
fumed air,  apd,  save  the  ripple  of  the  stream,  all  was  silent 
as  the  grave1. 

The  squadron  of  the  14th,  with  which  I  was,  had 
diverged  from  the  road  beside  the  river,  and,  to  obtain  a 
shorter  path,  had  entered  the  skirts  of  a  dark  pine  wood : 
our  pace  was  a  sharp  one ;  an  orderly  had  been  already 
despatched  to  hasten  our  arrival,  and  we  pressed  on  at  a 
brisk  trot.  In  less  than  *va  hour  we  reached  the  verge  oi 
the  wood,  and,  as  we  rode  out  upon  the  plain,  what  a 
spectacle  met  our  eyes!  Before  us,  in  a  narrow  valley, 
separated  from  the  river  by  a  low  ridge,  were  picketed 
three  cavalry  regiments ;  their  noiseless  gestures  and 
perfect  stillness  bespeaking,  at  once,  that  they  were 
intended  for  a  surprise  party.  Farther  down  the  stream, 
and  upon  the  opposite  side,  rose  the  massive  towers  and 
tall  spires  of  Oporto,  displaying  from  their  summits  the 
broad  ensign  of  France  ;  while,  far  as  the  eye  could  reach, 
the  broad  dark  masses  of  troops  might  be  seen ;  the  in- 
tervals between  their  columns  glittering  with  the  bright 
equipments  of  their  cavalry,  whose  steel  caps  and  lances 


842  CHARLES  O'MALLEI. 

were  sparkling  in  the  sunbeams.  The  bivouac  fires  were 
Btill  smouldering,  and  marking  were  some  part  of  the 
army  had  passed  the  night ;  for,  early  as  it  was,  it  was 
evident  that  their  position  had  been  changed ;  and,  even 
now,  the  heavy  masses  of  dark  infantry  might  be  seen 
moving  from  place  to  place,  while  the  long  line  of  the  road 
to  Vallonga  was  marked  with  a  vast  cloud  of  dust.  The 
French  drum  and  the  light  infantry  bugle  told,  from  time 
to  time,  that  orders  were  passing  among  the  troops  ;  while 
the  glittering  uniform  of  a  staff  officer  as  he  galloped  from 
the  town,  bespoke  the  note  of  preparation. 

"  Dismount.  Steady :  quietly,  my  lads,"  said  the 
Colonel,  as  he  alighted  upon  the  grass.  "Let  the  men 
have  their  breakfast." 

The  little  amphitheatre  we  occupied  hid  us  entirely 
from  all  observation  on  the  part  of  the  enemy,  but 
equally  so  excluded  us  from  perceiving  their  movements. 
It  may  readily  be  supposed,  then,  with  what  impatience 
we  waited  here,  while  the  din  and  clangour  of  the  French 
force,  as  they  marched  and  countermarched  so  near  us, 
were  clearly  audible.  The  orders  were,  however,  strict 
that  none  should  approach  the  bank  of  the  river,  and  we 
lay  anxiously  awaiting  the  moment  when  this  inactivity 
should  cease.  More  than  one  orderly  had  arrived  among 
us,  bearing  despatches  from  head-quarters ;  but  where 
our  main  body  was,  or  what  the  nature  of  the  orders,  no 
one  could  guess.  As  for  me,  my  excitement  was  at  its 
height,  and  I  could  not  speak  for  the  very  tension  of  my 
nerves.  The  officers  stood  in  little  groups  of  two  and 
three,  whispering  anxiously  together;  but  all  I  could 
collect  was,  that  Soult  had  already  began  his  retreat  upon 
Amarante,  and  that,  with  the  broad  stream  of  the  Douro 
between  us,  he  defied  our  pursuit. 

"  Well,  Charley,"  said  Power,  laying  his  arm  upon  my 
shoulder,  "  the  French  have  given  us  the  slip  this  time : 
they  are  already  in  march,  and,  even  if  we  dared  force  a 
passage,  in  the  face  of  such  an  enemy,  it  seems  there  is  not 
a  boat  to  be  found.  I  have  just  seen  Hammersley." 

"  Indeed !     Where  is  he  ?  "  said  I. 

"  He's  gone  back  to  Villa  de  Conde  ;  he  asked  after  you 
most  particularly  ;  don't  blush,  man  ;  I'd  rather  back  you* 
chance  than  his,  notwithstanding  the  long  letter  that  Lucy 


THE    DOUBO.  843 

gends  him.  Poor  fellow!  he  has  heen  badly  wounded, 
but,  it  seems,  declines  going  back  to  England." 

"  Captain  Power,"  said  an  orderly,  touching  his  cap, 
*•  General  Murray  desires  to  see  you." 

Power  hastened  away,  but  returned  in  a  few  moments. 

"I  say,  Charley,  there's  something  in  the  wind  here. 
I  have  just  been  ordered  to  try  where  the  stream  is  ford- 
able.  I've  mentioned  your  name  to  the  General,  and  I 
think  you'll  be  sent  for  soon.  Good-by." 

I  buckled  on  my  sword,  and  looking  to  my  girths,  stood 
watching  the  groups  around  me  ;  when,  suddenly,  a 
Dragoon  pulled  his  horse  short  up,  and  asked  a  man  near 
me  if  Mr.  O'Malley  was  there  ? 

*  Yes  ;  I  am  he." 

"  Orders  from  General  Murray,  sir,"  said  the  man,  and 
rode  off  at  a  canter. 

I  opened  and  saw  that  the  despatch  was  addressed  to 
Sir  Arthur  Wellesley,  with  the  mere  words, "  With  haste!" 
on  the  envelope. 

Now  which  way  to  turn  I  knew  not ;  so,  springing  into 
the  saddle,  I  galloped  to  where  Colonel  Merivale  was 
standing  talking  to  the  Colouel  of  a  heavy  dragoon 
regiment. 

"  May  I  ask,  sir,  by  which  road  I  am  to  proceed  with 
this  despatch  ?  " 

"  Along  the  river,  sir,"  said  the  heavy — a  large,  dark- 
browed  man,  with  a  most  forbidding  look.  "You'll  soon 
see  the  troops  :  you'd  better  stir  yourself,  sir,  or  Sir  Arthur 
is  not  very  likely  to  be  pleased  with  you." 

Without  venturing  a  reply  to  what  I  felt  a  somewhat 
unnecessary  taunt,  I  dashed  spurs  into  my  horse,  and 
turned  towards  the  river.  I  had  not  gained  the  bank 
above  a  minute,  when  the  loud  ringing  of  a  rifle  struck 
upon  my  ear  ;  bang  went  another,  and  another.  I  hurried 
on,  however,  at  the  top  of  my  speed,  thinking  only  of  my 
mission  and  its  pressing  haste.  As  I  turned  an  angle  of 
the  stream,  the  vast  column  of  the  British  came  in  sight, 
and  scarcely  had  my  eye  rested  upon  them  when  my 
Lorse  staggered  forwards,  plunged  twice  with  his  head 
nearly  to  the  earth,  and  then,  rearing  madly  up,  fell 
backwards  upon  the  ground.  Crushed  and  bruised  as  I 
felt  by  my  fall,  I  was  soon  aroused  to  the  necessity  of 


344  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

exertion;  for  as  I  disengaged  myself  from  the  poor  beast, 
I  discovered  he  had  been  killed  by  a  bullet  in  the  counter ; 
and  scarcely  had  I  recovered  my  legs  when  a  shot  struck 
my  shako  and  grazed  my  temples.  I  quickly  threw 
myself  to  the  ground,  and,  creeping  on  for  some  yards, 
reached  at  last  some  rising  ground,  from  which  I  rolled 
gently  downwards  into  a  little  declivity,  sheltered  by  the 
bank  from  the  French  fire. 

When  I  arrived  at  head-quarters,  I  was  dreadfully 
fatigued  and  heated ;  but  resolving  not  to  rest  till  I  had 
delivered  my  despatches,  I  hastened  towards  the  convent 
of  La  Sierra,  whefe  I  was  told  the  Commander-in-Chief  was. 

As  I  came  into  the  court  of  the  convent,  filled  with 
general  officers  and  people  of  the  staff,  I  was  turning  to 
ask  how  1  should  proceed,  when  Hixley  caught  my  eye. 

"  Well  O'Malley,  what  brings  you  here  ?  " 

"  Despatches  from  General  Murray." 

"  Indeed ;  oh,  follow  me." 

He  hurried  me  rapidly  through  the  buzzing  crowd,  and 
ascending  a  large  gloomy  stair,  introduced  me  into  a 
room,  where  about  a  dozen  persons  in  uniform  were 
writing  at  a  long  deal  table. 

"  Captain  Gordon,"  said  he  addressing  one  of  them, 
"  despatches  requiring  immediate  attention  have  just 
been  brought  by  this  officer.  " 

Before  the  sentence  was  finished  the  door  opened,  and  a 
short,  slight  man,  in  a  grey  undress  coat,  with  a  white 
cravat  and  a  cocked  hat,  entered.  The  dead  silence  that 
ensued  was  not  necessary  to  asssure  me  that  he  was  one 
in  authority :  the  look  of  command  his  bold  stern  features 
presented ;  the  sharp  piercing  eye,  the  compressed  lip, 
the  impressive  expression  of  the  whole  face,  told  plainly 
that  he  was  one  who  held  equally  himself  and  others  in 
mastery. 

"  Send  General  Sherbroke  here,"  said  he  to  an  aide-de- 
camp. "  Let  the  light  brigade  march  into  position  ;"  and 
then  turning  suddenly  to  me,  "  Whose  despatches  are 
these?" 

"  General  Murray's,  sir." 

1  needed  no  more  than  that  look  to  assure  me  that  this 
was  he  of  whom  I  had  heard  so  much,  and  of  whom  the 
world  was  still  to  hear  so  much  more, 


THK    DOUBO.  845 

He  opened  them  quickly,  and,  glancing  his  eye  across 
the  contents,  crushed  the  paper  in  his  hand.  Just  as  he 
did  so,  a  spot  of  blood  upon  the  envelope  attracted  his 
attention. 

"How's  this — are  you  wounded?" 

"  No,  sir ;  my  horse  was  killed H 

"  Very  well,  sir  ;  join  your  brigade.  But  Btay,  I  shall 
have  orders  for  you.  Well,  Waters,  what  news  ?" 

This  question  was  addressed  to  an  officer  in  a  staff  uni- 
form, who  entered  at  the  moment,  followed  by  the  short 
and  bulky  figure  of  a  monk,  his  shaven  crown  and  large 
cassock  strongly  contrasting  with  the  gorgeous  glitter  of 
the  costumes  around  him. 

"  I  say,  who  have  we  here?" 

"  The  Prior  of  Amarante,  sir,"  replied  Waters,  "  who 
has  just  come  over.  We  have  already,  by  his  aid,  secured 
three  large  barges  — 

"  Let  the  artillery  take  up  position  in  the  convent  at 
once,"  said  Sir  Arthur,  interrupting.  "  The  boats  will  be 
brought  round  to  the  small  creek  beneath  the  orchard, 
You,  sir,"  turning  to  me,  "  will  convey  to  General  Murray 

— but  you  appear  weak You,  Gordon,  will  desire 

Murray  to  effect  a  crossing  at  Avintas  with  the  Germans 
and  the  14th.  Sherbroke's  division  will  occupy  the  Villa 
Nuova.  What  number  of  men  can  that  seminary  take  ?  " 

"  From  three  to  four  hundred,  sir.  The  padre  mentions 
that  all  the  vigilance  of  the  enemy  is  limited  to  the  river 
below  the  town." 

"  I  perceive  it,"  was  the  short  reply  of  Sir  Arthur,  as, 
placing  his  hands  carelessly  behind  his  back,  he  walked 
towards  the  window,  and  looked  out  upon  the  river. 

All  was  still  as  death  in  the  chamber ;  not  a  lip  mur- 
mured. The  feeling  of  respect  for  him  in  whose  presence 
we  were  standing,  checked  every  thought  of  utterance, 
while  the  stupendous  gravity  of  the  events  before  us  en- 
grossed every  mind,  and  occupied  every  heart.  I  was 
standing  near  the  window ;  the  effect  of  my  fall  had 
stunned  me  for  a  time,  but  I  was  gradually  recovering, 
and  watched  with  a  thrilling  heart  the  scene  before  me. 
Great  and  absorbing  as  was  my  interest  in  what  was  pass- 
ing without,  it  was  nothing  compared  with  what  I  felt  aa 
I  looked  at  him  upon  whom  our  d,estiny  was,  $ien  hanging. 


846  OHABLES  O'MALLEY. 

I  had  ample  time  to  scan  his  features  and  canvass  their 
every  lineament.  Never  before  did  I  look  upon  such  per- 
fect impassibility ;  the  cold  determined  expression  was 
crossed  by  no  show  of  passion  or  impatience.  All  was 
rigid  and  motionless,  and,  whatever  might  have  been  the 
workings  of  the  spirit  within,  certainly  no  external  sign 
betrayed  them  ;  and  yet  what  a  moment  for  him  must  that 
have  been !  Before  him,  separated  by  a  deep  and  rapid 
river,  lay  the  conquering  legions  of  France,  led  on  by  one, 
second  alone  to  him  whose  very  name  had  been  the  prestige 
of  victory.  Unprovided  with  every  regular  means  of 
transport,  in  the  broad  glare  of  day,  in  open  defiance  of 
their  serried  ranks  and  thundering  artillery,  he  dared  the 
deed.  What  must  have  been  his  confidence  in  the  soldiers 
he  commanded !  what  must  have  been  his  reliance  upon 
his  own  genius!  As  such  thoughts  rushed  through  my 
mind,  the  door  opened,  and  an  officer  entered  hastily,  and, 
whispering  a  few  words  to  Colonel  Waters,  left  the 
room. 

"  One  boat  is  already  brought  up  to  the  crossing-place, 
and  entirely  concealed  by  the  wall  of  the  orchard." 

"  Let  the  men  cross,**  was  the  brief  reply. 

No  other  word  was  spoken  as,  turning  from  the  window, 
he  closed  his  telescope,  and,  followed  by  all  the  others, 
descended  to  the  court-yard. 

This  simple  order  was  enough ;  an  officer,  with  a  com- 
pany of  the  Buffs,  embarked,  and  thus  began  the  passage 
of  the  Douro. 

So  engrossed  was  I  in  my  vigilant  observation  of  our 
leader,  that  I  would  gladly  have  remained  at  the  convent, 
when  I  received  an  order  to  join  my  brigade,  to  which  a 
dolachment  of  artillery  was  already  proceeding. 

As  I  reached  Avintas  all  was  in  motion.  The  cavalry 
was  in  readiness  beside  the  river ;  but  as  yet  no  boats  had 
been  discovered,  and,  such  was  the  impatience  of  the  men 
t->  cross,  it  was  with  difficulty  they  were  prevented  trying 
the  passage  by  swimming,  when  suddenly  Power  appeared, 
followed  by  several  fishermen.  Three  or  four  small  skiffs 
had  been  found,  half  sunk  in  mud,  among  the  rushes,  and 
with  such  frail  assistance  we  commenced  to  cross. 

"  There  will  be  something  to  write  home  to  Galway  soon, 
Charley,  or  I'm  terribly  mistaken,"  said  Fred,  as  he  sprang 


THE   DODRO,  847 

into  the  boat  beside  me.  "  Was  I  not  a  true  prophet  when 
I  told  yon  '  We'd  meet  the  French  in  the  morning?'  ' 

"  They're  at  it  already,"  said  Hixley,  as  a  wreath  of  bine 
rtmoke  floated  across  the  stream  below  us,  and  the  loud 
boom  of  a  large  gun  resounded  through  the  air. 

Then  came  a  deafening  shout,  followed  by  a  rattling 
volley  of  small  arms,  gradually  swelling  into  a  hot  sus- 
tained fire,  through  which  the  cannon  pealed  at  intervals. 
Several  large  meadows  lay  along  the  river-side,  where  our 
brigade  was  drawn  up  as  the  detachments  landed  from  the 
boats ;  and  here,  although  nearly  a  league  distant  from  the 
town,  we  now  heard  the  din  and  crash  of  battle,  which  in- 
creased every  moment.  The  cannonade  from  the  Sierra 
convent,  which  at  first  was  merely  the  tire  of  single  guns, 
now  thundered  away  in  one  long  roll,  amid  which  the 
sounds  of  falling  walls  and  crashing  roofs  were  mingled. 
It  was  evident  to  us,  from  the  continual  fire  kept  up,  that 
the  landing  had  been  aftected,  while  the  swelling  tide  of 
musketry  told  that  fresh  troops  were  momentarily  coming 
up. 

In  less  than  twenty  minutes  our  brigade  was  formed, 
and  we  now  only  waited  for  two  light  four-pounders  to  be 
landed,  when  an  ofiicer  galloped  up  in  haste,  and  called 
out,— 

"  The  French  are  in  retreat! "  and,  pointing  at  the  same 
moment  to  the  Vallonga  Road,  we  saw  a  long  line  of 
smoke  and  dust  leading  from  the  town,  through  which,  as 
we  gazed,  the  colours  of  the  enemy  might  be  seen  as  they 
defiled  while  the  unbroken  lines  of  the  waggons  and  heavy 
baggage  proved  that  it  was  no  partial  movement,  but  the 
army  itself  retreating. 

"  Fourteenth,  threes  about,  close  up,  trot !  "  called  out  the 
loud  and  manly  voice  of  our  leader,  and  the  heavy  tramp 
of  our  squadrons  shook  the  very  ground,  as  we  advanced 
towards  the  road  to  Vallonga. 

As  we  came  on,  the  scene  became  one  of  overwhelming 
excitement ;  the  masses  of  the  enemy  that  poured  un- 
ceasingly fro:n  the  town,  could  now  be  distinguished  more 
clearly ;  and,  amid  all  the  crash  of  gun-carriages  and 
caissons,  the  voices  of  the  staff  officers  rose  high  as  they 
hurried  along  the  retreating  battalions.  A  troop  of  flying 
artillery  galloped  forth  at  top  speed,  and,  wheeling  their 


848  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

guns  into  position  with  the  speed  of  lightning,  prepared, 
by  a  flanking  fire,  to  cover  the  retiring  column.  The 
gunners  sprang  from  their  seats,  the  guns  were  already 
unlimbered,  when  Sir  George  Murray,  riding  up  at  our 
left,  called  out, — 

"  Forward — close  up — charge  ! " 

The  word  was  scarcely  spoken,  when  the  loud  cheer 
answered  the  welcome  sound,  and  the  same  instant  the 
long  line  of  shining  helmets  passed  with  the  speed  of  a 
whirlwind ;  the  pace  increased  at  every  stride,  the  ranks 
grew  closer,  and,  like  the  dread  force  of  some  mighty 
engine,  we  fell  upon  the  ibe.  I  have  felt  all  the  glorious 
enthusiasm  of  a  fox-hunt,  when  the  loud  cry  of  the  hounds, 
answered  by  the  cheers  of  the  joyous  huntsman,  stirred 
the  very  heart  within,  but  never  till  now  did  I  know  how 
far  higher  the  excitement  reaches,  when,  man  to  man, 
Babre  to  sabre,  arm  to  arm,  we  ride  forward  to  the  battle- 
field. On  we  went,  the  loud  shout  of  "  Forward ! "  still 
ringing  in  our  ears.  One  broken,  irregular  discharge  from 
the  French  guns  shook  the  head  of  our  advancing  column, 
but  stayed  us  not  as  we  galloped  madly  on. 

I  remember  no  more.  The  din,  the  smoke,  the  crash — 
the  cry  for  quarter,  mingled  with  the  shout  of  victory—- 
the flying  enemy — the  agonizing  shrieks  of  the  wounded 
— all  are  commingled  in  my  mind,  but  leave  no  trace 
of  clearness  or  connexion  between  them ;  and  it  was  only 
when  the  column  wheeled  to  re-form,  behind  the  advanc- 
ing squadrons,  that  I  awoke  from  my  trance  of  maddening 
excitement,  and  perceived  that  we  had  carried  the  position, 
and  cut  off"  the  guns  of  the  enemy. 

"  Well  done,  14th !  "  said  an  old  grey-headed  colonel,  as 
he  rode  along  our  line — "  gallantly  done,  lads !  "  The 
blood  trickled  from  a  sabre-cut  on  his  temple,  along  his 
cheek,  as  he  spoke  ;  but  he  either  knew  it  not,  or  heeded 
it  not. 

"  There  go  the  Germans  !  "  said  Power,  pointing  to  the 
remainder  of  our  brigade,  as  they  charged  furiously  upon 
the  French  infantry,  and  rode  them  down  in  masses. 

Our  guns  came  up  at  this  time,  and  a  plunging  fire  was 
opened  upon  the  thick  and  retreating  ranks  of  the  enemy. 
The  carnage  must  have  been  terrific,  for  the  long  breaches 
in  their  lines  showed  where  the  squadrons  of  the  cavalry  had 


THE   DOURO.  849 

passed,  or  the  most  destructive  tide  of  the  artillery  bad 
swept  through  them.  The  speed  of  the  flying  columns 
grew  momentarily  more ;  the  road  became  blocked  up,  too, 
by  broken  carriages  and  wounded;  and,  to  add  to  their 
discomfiture,  a  damaging  fire  now  opened  from  the  town 
upon  the  retreating  columns,  while  the  brigade  of  Guards 
and  the  29th  pressed  hotly  on  their  rear. 

The  scene  was  now  beyond  anything  maddening  in  its 
interest.  From  the  walls  of  Oporto  the  English  infantry 
poured  fourth  in  pursuit;  while  the  whole  river  was  covered 
with  boats,  as  they  still  continued  to  cross  over.  The 
artillery  thundered  from  the  Sierra,  to  protect  the  landing, 
for  it  was  even  still  contested,  in  places  ;  and  the  cavalry, 
charging  in  flank,  swept  the  broken  ranks,  and  bore  down 
upon  the  squares. 

It  was  now,  when  the  full  tide  of  victory  ran  highest  in 
our  favour,  that  we  were  ordered  to  retire  from  the  road. 
Column  after  column  passed  before  us,  unmolested  and 
unassailed;  and  not  even  a  cannon-shot  arrested  their 
steps. 

Some  unaccountable  timidity  of  our  leader  directed  this 
movement;  and,  while  before  our  very  eyes  the  gallant 
infantry  were  charging  the  retiring  columns,  we  remained 
still  and  inactive. 

How  little  did  the  sense  of  praise  we  had  already  won 
repay  us  for  the  shame  and  indignation  we  experienced  at 
this  moment,  as,  with  burning  cheek  and  compressed  lip, 
we  watched  the  retreating  files.  "  What  can  he  mean  ?  " 
"  Is  there  not  some  mistake  ?  "  "  Are  we  never  to  charge  ?  " 
were  the  muttered  questions  around,  as  a  staff  officer  gal- 
loped up  with  the  order  to  take  ground  still  further  back, 
and  nearer  to  the  river. 

The  word  was  scarcely  spoken,  when  a  young  officer,  in 
the  uniform  of  a  general,  dashed  impetuously  up ;  he  held 
his  plumed  cap  high  above  his  head,  as  he  called  out, 
"  14th,  follow  me !  Left  face — wheel — charge  ! " 

So,  with  the  word,  we  were  upon  them.  The  French 
rear-guard  was  at  this  moment  at  the  narrowest  part  of  the 
road  which  opened  by  a  bridge  upon  a  large  open  space ; 
so  that,  forming  with  a  narrow  front,  and  favoured  by  a 
declivity  in  the  ground,  we  actually  rode  them  down. 
Twice  the  French  formed,  and  twice  were  they  broken. 


850  OHA&LE8  O'MALLEJ. 

Moau while,  the  carnage  was  dreadful  on  both  sides;  our 
fellows  dashing  madly  forward  where  the  ranks  were 
thickest, — the  enemy  resisting  with  the  stubborn  courage 
of  men  fighting  for  their  last  spot  of  ground.  So  impe- 
tuous was  the  charge  of  our  squadrons,  that  we  stopped 
not  till,  piercing  the  dense  column  of  the  retreating  mass, 
we  reached  the  open  ground  beyond.  Here  we  wheeled, 
and  prepared  once  more  to  meet  them ;  when  suddenly 
eome  squadrons  of  Cuirassiers  debouched  from  the  road, 
and,  supported  by  a  field- piece,  showed  front  against  us. 
This  was  the  moment  that  the  remainder  of  our  brigade 
should  have  come  to  our  aid ;  but  not  a  man  appeared. 
However,  there  was  not  an  instant  to  be  lost ;  already  the 
plunging  fire  of  the  four-pounder  had  swept  through  our 
files,  and  every  moment  increased  our  danger. 

"  Once  more,  my  lads,  forward  ! "  cried  out  our  gallant 
leader,  Sir  Charles  Stewart,  as,  waving  his  sabre,  he  dashed 
into  the  thickest  of  the  fray. 

So  sudden  was  our  charge,  that  we  were  upon  them 
before  they  were  prepared.  And  here  ensued  a  terrific 
struggle  ;  for,  as  the  cavalry  of  the  enemy  gave  way  before 
us,  we  came  upon  the  close  ranks  of  the  infantry,  at  half- 
pistol  distance,  who  poured  a  withering  volley  into  us  as 
we  approached.  But  what  could  arrest  the  sweeping 
torrent  of  our  brave  fellows,  though  every  moment  falling 
in  numbers  ? 

Harvey,  our  major,  lost  his  arm  near  the  shoulder. 
Scarcely  an  officer  was  not  wounded.  Power  received  a 
deep  sabre-cut  in  the  cheek,  from  an  aide-de-camp  of 
General  Foy,  in  return  for  a  wound  he  gave  the  General ; 
while  I,  in  my  endeavour  to  save  General  Laborde,  when 
unhorsed,  was  cut  down  through  the  helmet,  and  so  stunned 
that  I  remembered  no  more  around  me.  I  kept  my  saddle, 
it  is  true,  but  I  lost  every  sense  of  consciousness  ;  my  first 
glimmering  of  reason  coming  to  my  aid  as  1  lay  upon  the 
river  bank,  and  felt  my  faithful  follower  Mike  bathing  my 
temples  with  water,  as  he  kept  up  a  running  fire  of  lamen- 
tations for  my  being  murtliered  so  young. 

"  Are  you  better,  Mister  Charles  ?  Spake  to  me,  alanah  ; 
eay  that  you're  not  kilt,  darling;  do  now.  Oh,  wirra! 
what'll  I  ever  say  to  the  master  ?  and  you  doing  BO  beauti- 
fcl  I  Wouldn't  he  give  the  best  baste  in  his  stable  to  be 


tHK    DOU&6. 

looking  at  you  to-day  f  There,  take  a  sup ;  it's  only  water. 
Bad  luck  to  them,  but  it's  hard  work  beatin'  them.  They're 
mly  gone  now.  That's  right :  now  you're  coming  to." 

"Where  am  I,  Mike?" 

"  It's  here  you  are,  darling,  resting  yourself. ** 

"  Well,  Charley,  my  poor  fellow,  you've  got  sore  bones 
too,"  cried  Power,  as,  his  face  swathed  in  bandages  and 
covered  with  blood,  he  lay  down  on  the  grass  beside  me. 
"  It  was  a  gallant  thing  while  it  lasted,  but  has  cost  us 
dearly.  Poor  Hixley " 

"  What  of  him  ?  "  said  I,  anxiously. 

"  Poor  fellow  !  he  has  seen  his  last  battle-field.  He  fell 
across  me  as  we  came  out  upon  the  road.  I  lifted  him  up 
in  my  arms,  and  bore  him  along  above  fifty  yards ;  but  he 
was  stone  dead.  Not  a  sigh,  not  a  word  escaped  him; 
shot  through  the  forehead."  As  he  spoke,  his  lips  trembled, 
and  his  voice  sank  to  a  mere  whisper  at  the  last  words, — 
"  You  remember  what  he  said  last  night.  Poor  fellow  I  he 
was  every  inch  a  soldier." 

Such  was  the  epitaph. 

I  turned  my  head  towards  the  scene  of  our  late  en- 
counter. Some  dismounted  guns  and  broken  waggons 
alone  marked  the  spot ;  while,  far  in  the  distance,  the  dust 
of  the  retreating  columns  showed  the  beaten  enemy,  as 
they  hurried  towards  the  frontiers  of  Spain. 


852  CHARLES  O'MALLET. 


CHAPTER   XLVL 

THE   MORNING. 

THERE  are  few  sadder  things  in  life  than  the  day  after  a 
battle.  The  high-beating  hope,  the  bounding  spirits,  have 
passed  away ;  and  in  their  stead  comes  the  depressing 
reaction  by  which  every  overwrought  exitement  is  followed. 
With  far  different  eyes  do  we  look  upon  the  compact  ranks 
and  glistening  files, — 

"  With  helm  arrayed, 
And  lance  and  blade, 
And  plume  in  the  gay  wind  dancing!  ** 

and  upon  the  cold  and  barren  heath,  whose  only  memory 
of  the  past  is  the  blood-stained  turf,  a  mangled  corpse, 
the  broken  gun,  the  shattered  wall,  the  well-trodden 
earth  where  columns  stood,  the  cut-up  ground  where 
cavalry  had  charged — these  are  the  sad  relics  of  all  the 
chivalry  of  yesterday. 

****** 
****** 

****** 

The  morning  which  followed  the  battle  of  the  Do-aro 
was  one  of  the  most  beautiful  I  ever  remember.  There 
was  that  kind  of  freshness  and  elasticity  in  the  air  which 
certain  days  possess,  and  communicate  by  some  magio 
their  properties  to  ourselves.  The  thrush  was  singing 
gaily  out  from  every  grove  and  wooded  dell ;  the  very 
river  had  a  sound  of  gladness,  as  it  rippled  on  against 
its  sedgy  banks;  the  foliage,  too,  sparkled  in  the  fresh 
dew,  as  in  its  robes  of  holiday,  and  all  looked  bright  and 
happy. 

We  were  picketed  near  the  river,  upon  a  gently  rising 
ground,  from  which  the  view  extended  for  miles  in  every 


THE   MORNING.  853 

direction.  Above  us,  the  stream  came  winding  down 
amid  broad  and  fertile  fields  of  tall  grass  and  waving 
corn,  backed  by  deep  and  mellow  woods,  which  were  lost 
to  the  view  upon  the  distant  hills ;  below,  the  river,  widen- 
ing as  it  went,  pursued  a  straighter  course  or  turned  with 
bolder  curves,  till  passing  beneath  the  town,  it  spread  into 
a  large  sheet  of  glassy  water,  as  it  opened  to  the  sea. 
The  sun  was  just  rising  as  I  looked  upon  this  glorious 
scene,  and  already  the  tall  spires  of  Oporto  were  tipped 
with  a  bright  rosy  hue,  while  the  massive  towers  and 
dark  walls  threw  their  lengthened  shadows  far  across  the 
plain. 

The  fires  of  the  bivouac  still  burned,  but  all  slept  around 
them.  Not  a  sound  was  heard,  save  the  tramp  of  a  patrol, 
or  the  short,  quick  cry  of  the  sentry.  I  sat  lost  in  medi- 
tation, or  rather  in  that  state  of  dreamy  thoughtfulness 
in  which  the  past  and  present  are  combined,  and  the 
absont  are  alike  before  us  as  are  the  things  we  look  upon. 

One  moment  I  felt  as  though  I  were  describing  to  my 
uncle  the  battle  of  the  day  before,  pointing  out  where  we 
stood,  and  how  we  charged ;  then  again  I  was  at  home, 
beside  the  broad,  bleak  Shannon,  and  the  brown  hills  of 
Scariflf.  I  watched  with  beating  heart  the  tall  Sierra, 
where  our  path  lay  for  the  future ;  and  then  turned  my 
thoughts  to  him  whose  name  was  so  soon  to  be  received  in 
England  with  a  nation's  pride  and  gratitude,  and  panted 
for  a  soldier's  glory. 

As  thus  I  followed  every  rising  fancy,  I  heard  a  step 
approach  ;  it  was  a  figure  muffled  in  a  cavalry  cloak,  which 
I  soon  perceived  to  be  Power. 

"  Charley  !  "  said  he,  in  a  half- whisper,  "  get  up  and 
come  with  me.  You  are  aware  of  the  general  order,  that, 
while  in  pursuit  of  an  enemy,  all  military  honours  to  the 
dead  are  forbidden ;  but  we  wish  to  place  our  poor  com- 
rade in  the  earth  before  we  leave." 

I  followed  down  a  little  path,  through  a  grove  of  tall 
beech-trees,  that  opened  upon  a  little  grassy  terrace  beside 
the  river.  A  stunted  olive-tree  stood  by  itself  in  the 
midst,  and  there  I  found  five  of  our  brother  officers  stand- 
ing, wrapped  in  their  wide  cloaks.  As  we  pressed  each 
other's  hand  not  a  word  was  spoken.  Each  heart  was 
full ;  and  hard  features  that  never  quailed  before  the  foe 


854  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

were  now  shaken  with  the  convulsive  spasm  of  agony,  or 
compressed  with  stern  determination  to  seem  calm. 

A  cavalry  helmet  and  a  large  blue  cloak  lay  upon  the 
grass.  The  narrow  grave  was  already  dug  beside  it ;  and 
in  the  deathlike  stillness  around  the  service  for  the  dead 
was  read.  The  last  words  were  over.  We  stooped  'and 
placed  the  corpse,  wrapped  up  in  the  broad  mantle,  in  the 
earth ;  we  replaced  the  mould,  and  stood  silently  around 
the  spot.  The  trumpet  of  our  regiment  at  this  moment 
sounded  the  call :  its  clear  notes  rang  sharply  through 
the  thin  air ;  it  was  the  soldier's  requiem  I  and  we  turned 
away  without  speaking,  and  returned  to  our  quarters. 

I  had  never  known  poor  Hixley  till  a  day  or  two  before ; 
but  somehow,  my  grief  for  him  was  deep  and  heartfelt. 
It  was  not  that  his  frank  and  manly  bearing,  his  bold  and 
military  air,  had  gained  npon  me.  No ;  these  were  indeed 
qualities  to  attract  and  delight  me,  but  he  had  obtained  a 
stronger  and  faster  hold  upon  my  affections — he  spoke  to 
me  of  home. 

Of  all  the  ties  that  bind  us  to  the  chance  acquaintances 
we  meet  with  in  life,  what  can  equal  this  one  ?  What  a 
claim  upon  your  love  has  he  who  can,  by  some  passing 
word,  some  fast-flitting  thought,  bring  back  the  days  of 
your  youth !  What  interest  can  he  not  excite,  by  some 
anecdote  of  your  boyish  days,  some  well-remembered  trait 
of  youthful  daring,  or  early  enterprize  !  Many  a  year  of 
sunshine  and  of  storm  have  passed  above  my  head.  I 
have  not  been  without  my  moments  of  gratified  pride  and 
rewarded  ambition ;  but  my  heart  has  never  responded  so 
fully,  so  thankfully,  so  proudly  to  these,  such  as  they  were, 
as  to  the  simple,  touching  words  of  one  who  knew  my 
early  home,  and  loved  its  inmates. 

"  Well,  Fitzroy,  what  news  ? "  inquired  I,  roused 
from  my  musing,  as  an  aide-de-camp  galloped  up  at  full 
speed. 

"  Tell  Merivale  to  get  the  regiment  under  arms  at  once. 
Sir  Arthur  Wellesley  will  be  here  in  less  than  half  an 
hour.  You  may  look  for  the  route  immediately.  Where 
are  the  Germans  quartered  ?  " 

"  Lower  down ;  beside  that  grove  of  beech-trees,  next 
the  river." 

Scarcely  was  my  reply  spoken,  when  lie  dashed  spurs 


THE    MORNIN4.  855 

into  his  horse,  and  was  soon  out  of  sight.  Meanwhile, 
the  plain  beneath  me  presented  an  animated  and  splen- 
did spectacle.  The  different  corps  were  falling  intc 
position  to  the  enlivening  sounds  of  their  quick  step, 
the  trumpets  of  the  cavalry  rang  loudly  through  the 
valley,  and  the  clatter  of  sabres  and  sabretasches,  joined 
with  the  hollow  .tramp  of  the  horses,  as  the  squadron 
came  up. 

I  had  not  a  moment  to  lose  ;  so,  hastening  back  to  my 
quarters,  I  found  Mike  waiting  with  my  horse. 

"  Captain  Power's  before  you,  sir,"  said  he,  "  and  you'll 
have  to  make  haste.  The  regiments  are  under  arms 
already." 

From  the  little  mound  where  I  stood,  I  could  see  the 
long  line  of  cavalry  as  they  deployed  into  the  plain, 
followed  by  the  horse  artillery,  which  brought  up  the 
rear. 

"  This  looks  like  a  march,"  thought  I,  as  I  pressed  for- 
ward to  join  my  companions. 

I  had  not  advanced  above  a  hundred  yards  through  a 
narrow  ravine  when  the  measured  tread  of  infantry  fell 
upon  my  ears.  I  pulled  up  to  slacken  my  pace,  just  as 
the  head  of  a  column  turned  round  the  angle  of  the  road, 
and  came  in  view.  The  tall  caps  of  a  grenadier  company 
was  the  first  thing  I  beheld,  as  they  came  on  without  roll 
of  drum  and  sound  of  fife.  I  watched  with  a  soldier's 
pride  the  manly  bearing  and  gallant  step  of  the  dense 
mass  as  they  defiled  before  me.  I  was  struck  no  less  by 
them  than  by  a  certain  look  of  a  steady  but  sombre  cast 
which  each  man  wore. 

"  What  can  this  mean  ?  "  thought  I. 

My  first  impression  was,  that  a  military  execution 
was  about  to  take  place ;  the  next  moment  solved  my 
doubt ;  for,  as  the  last  files  of  the  grenadiers  wheeled 
round,  a  dense  mass  behind  came  in  sight,  whose  unarmed 
hands,  and  downcast  air,  at  once  bespoke  them  prisoners 
of  war. 

What  a  sad  sight  it  was  !  There  was  the  old  and 
weather-beaten  grenadier,  erect  in  frame  and  firm  in  step, 
his  grey  moustache  scarcely  concealing  the  scowl  that 
curled  his  lip,  side  by  side  with  the  young  and  daring  con- 
script, even  yet  a  mere  boy:  their  march  was  regular,  their 


856  CHARLES   0* MALLET. 

gaze  steadfast;  no  look  of  flinching  courage  there,  O» 
they  came,  a  long  unbroken  line.  They  looked  not  less 
proudly  than  their  captors  around  them.  As  I  lookea 
with  heavy  heart  upon  them,  my  attention  was  attracted 
to  one  who  marched  alone  behind  the  rest.  He  was  8 
middle-sized  but  handsome  youth  of  some  eighteen  year? 
at  most ;  his  light  helmet  and  waving  plume  bespoke  him 
a  chasseur  a  cheval,  and  I  could  plainly  perceive,  in  his 
careless,  half-saucy  air,  how  indignantly  he  felt  the  position 
to  which  the  fate  of  war  had  reduced  him.  He  caught 
my  eyes  fixed  upon  him,  and,  for  an  instant,  turned  upon 
me  a  gaze  of  open  and  palpable  defiance,  drawing  himself 
up  to  his  full  height,  and  crossing  his  arms  upon  his 
breast ;  but,  probably,  perceiving  in  my  look  more  of  in- 
terest than  of  triumph,  his  countenance  suddenly  changed, 
a  deep  blush  suffused  his  cheek,  his  eye  beamed  with  a 
softened  and  kindly  expression,  and,  carrying  his  hand  to 
his  helmet,  he  saluted  me,  saying,  in  a  voice  of  singular 
sweetness, — 

"  Je  vous  souhaite  un  meilleur  sort,  camarade." 
I  bowed,  and,  muttering  something  in  return,  was 
about  to  make  some  inquiry  concerning  him,  when  the 
loud  call  of  the  trumpet  rang  through  the  valley,  and 
apprised  me  that,  in  my  interest  for  the  prisoners,  I  had 
forgotten  all  else,  and  was  probably  incurring  censure  fr"1 
toy  absence. 


857 


CHAPTER  XLVIL 

TBK    RKVIKW. 

WHEN  I  joined  the  group  of  my  brother  officers,  T*ho 
stood  gaily  chatting  and  laughing  together  before  our 
lines,  I  was  much  surprised — nay,  almost  shocked — to 
find  how  little  seeming  impression  had  been  made  upon 
them  by  the  sad  duty  we  had  performed  that  morning. 

When  last  we  met,  each  eye  was  downcast,  each  heart 
was  full :  sorrow  for  him  we  had  lost  from  amongst  us  for 
ever,  mingling  with  the  awful  sense  of  our  own  uncertain 
tenure  here,  had  laid  its  impress  on  each  brow  ;  but  now, 
scarcely  an  hour  elapsed,  and  all  were  cheerful  aud  elated. 
The  last  shovelful  of  earth  upon  the  grave  seemed  to  have 
buried  both  the  dead  and  the  mourning.  And  such  is 
war !  and  such  the  temperament  it  forms !  Events  so 
strikingly  opposite  in  their  character  and  influences  .-uc- 
ceed  so  rapidly  one  upon  another,  that  the  mind  is  kept 
in  one  whirl  of  excitement,  and  at  length  accustoms 
itself  to  change  witk  every  phase  of  circumstances  ;  and 
between  joy  and  grief,  hope  and  despondency,  enthusiasm 
and  depression,  there  is  neither  breadth  nor  interval ;  they 
follow  each  other  as  naturally  as  morning  succeeds  tc 
night. 

I  had  not  much  time  for  such  reflections  :  scarcely  had  I 
saluted  the  officers  about  me,  when  the  loud  prolonged  roll 
of  the  drums  along  the  line  of  infantry  in  the  valley,  fol- 
lowed by  the  sharp  clatter  of  muskets  as  they  were  raised 
to  the  shoulder,  announced  the  troops  were  under  arms, 
and  the  review  begun. 

"  Have  you  seen  the  general  order  this  morning,  Power?" 
inquired  an  old  officer  beside  me. 

"  No ;  they  say,  however,  that  ours  are  mentioned." 

"  Harvey  is  going  on  favourably,"  cried  a  young  cornet, 
*s  he  galloped  up  to  our  party. 


858  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

"  Take  ground  to  the  left !  "  sung  out  the  clear  voice  of 
the  colonel,  as  he  rode  along  in  front.  "  Fourteenth !  I  am 
happy  to  inform  you  that  your  conduct  has  met  approval 
in  the  highest  quarter.  I  have  just  received  the  general 
orders,  in  which  this  occurs  : — 

"  *  THE  TIMELY  PASSAGE  OF  THE  DOURO,  AND  SUBSEQUENT 
MOVEMENTS  UPON  THE  ENEMY'S  FLANK,  BY  LlEUTENANT- 

GENERAL  SHERBROKE  WITH  THE  GUARDS  AND  29TH  REGIMENT, 
AND  THE  BRAVERY  OF  THE  TWO  SQUADRONS  OF  THE  14TH  LlGHT 
DRAGOONS  UNDLR  THE  COMMAND  OF  MAJOR  HARVEY,  AND  LED 
BY  THE  HONOURABLE  BRIGADIER-GENERAL  CHARLES  STEWART, 
OBTAINED  THE  VICTORY  ' — Mark  that,  my  lads  ! — obtained 
the  victory — 'WHICH  HAS  CONTRIBUTED  so  MUCH  TO  THE 

HONOUR  OF  THE   TROOPS   ON   THIS   DAY.'  " 

The  words  were  hardly  spoken,  when  a  tremendous  cheer 
burst  from  the  whole  line  at  once. 

"  Steady,  Fourteenth  1  steady  lads ! "  said  the  gallant  old 
colonel,  as  he  raised  his  hand  gently ;  "  the  staff  is  ap- 
proaching." 

At  the  same  moment,  the  white  plumes  appeared  rising 
above  the  brow  of  the  hill.  On  they  came,  glittering  in 
all  the  splendour  of  aiguillettes  and  orders ;  all,  save 
one.  He  rode  foremost,  upon  a  small  compact  black 
horse ;  his  dress,  a  plain  grey  frock,  fastened  at  the 
waist  by  a  red  sash:  his  cocked  hat  alone  bespoke,  in 
its  plume,  the  general  officer.  He  galloped  rapidly  on 
till  he  came  to  the  centre  of  the  line  :  then,  turning  short 
round,  he  scanned  the  ranks  from  end  to  end  with  an  eagle 
glance. 

"  Colonel  Merivale,  you  have  made  known  to  your 
regiment  my  opinion  of  them,  as  expressed  in  general 
orders  ?  " 

The  Colonel  bowed  low  in  acquiescence. 

"  Fitzroy,  yon  have  got  the  memorandum,  I  hope  ?  '* 

The  aide-de-camp  here  presented  to  Sir  Arthur  a  slip  of 
paper,  which  he  continued  to  regard  attentively  for  some 
minutes. 

"  Captain  Powel — Power,  I  mean.     Captain  Power !  " 

Power  rode  out  from  the  line. 

"  Your  very  distinguished  conduct  yesterday  has  been 
reported  to  me.  I  shall  have  sincere  pleasure  in  forward- 
ing your  name  for  the  vacant  majority." 


TTTE   REVIEW.  859 

"You  have  forgotten,  Colonel  Menvale,  to  send  in 
the  name  of  the  officer  who  saved  General  Laborde'i 
life." 

"I  believe  I  have  mentioned  it,  Sir  Arthur.  Mr. 
O'Malley." 

"  True,  I  beg  pardon  ;  so  you  have — Mr.  O'Malley ;  a 
very  young  officer  indeed — ha,  an  Irishman  t  the  south  of 
Ireland,  eh?" 

"  No,  sir,  the  west." 

"  Oh  I  yes.  Well,  Mr.  O'Malley,  yon  are  promoted.  You 
have  the  lieutenancy  in  your  own  regiment.  By  the  bye, 
Merivale,"  here  his  voice  changed  into  a  half-laughing 
tone, — "  ere  I  forget  it,  pray  let  me  beg  of  you  to  look  into 
this  honest  fellow's  claim ;  he  has  given  me  no  peace  the 
entire  morning." 

As  he  spoke,  I  turned  my  eyes  in  the  direction  he 
pointed,  and,  to  my  utter  consternation,  beheld  my  man 
Mickey  Free  standing  among  the  staff,  the  position  he 
occupied,  and  the  presence  he  stood  in,  having  no  more 
perceptible  effect  upon  his  nerves  than  if  he  were 
assisting  at  an  Irish  wake ;  but  so  completely  was  I 
overwhelmed  with  shame  at  the  moment,  that  the  staff 
were  already  far  down  the  lines  ere  I  recovered  my  self- 
possession,  to  which,  certainly,  I  was  in  some  degree 
recalled  by  Master  Mike's  addressing  me  in  a  somewhat 
imploring  voice : 

"  Arrah,  spake  for  me,  Master  Charles,  alanah ;  sure 
they  might  do  something  for  me  now,  av  it  was  only  to 
make  me  a  guager." 

Mickey's  ideas  of  promotion,  thug  insinuatingly  put 
forward,  threw  the  whole  party  around  into  one  burst  of 
laughter. 

"  I  have  him  down  there,"  said  he,  pointing  as  he  spoke 
to  a  thick  grove  of  cork-trees  at  a  little  distance. 

"  Who  have  you  got  there,  Mike  ?  "  inquired  Power. 

"  Devil  a  one  o'  me  knows  his  name,"  replied  hej  "  maybe 
it's  Bony  himself." 

"  And  how  do  you  know  he's  there  still  ?  * 

"  How  do  I  know,  is  it  ?     Didn't  I  tie  him  last  night  ?  H 

Curiosity  to  find  out  what  Mickey  could  possibly  allude 
to,  induced  Power  and  myself  to  follow  him  down  the 
slope  to  the  clump  of  trees  I  hare  mentioned.  AM  we 


860  OHABLES  O'MALLEY. 

came  near,  the  very  distinct  denunciations  that  issued 
from  the  thicket,  proved  pretty  clearly  the  nature  of  the 
affair.  It  was  nothing  less  than  a  French  officer  of  cavalry, 
that  Mike  had  nnhorsed  in  the  mette,  and  wishing,  pro- 
bably, to  preserve  some  testimony  of  his  prowess,  had 
made  prisoner,  and  tied  fast  to  a  cork-tree,  the  preceding 
evening. 

"  Sacrebleu.!"  said  the  poor  Frenchman,  as  we  ap- 
proached, "ce  sont  des  sauvages!" 

"  Av  it's  making  your  sowl,  ye  are,"  said  Mike,  "  you're 
right ;  for,  maybe,  they  won't  let  me  keep  you  alive." 

Mike's  idea  of  a  tame  prisoner  threw  me  into  a  fit  of 
laughing,  while  Power  asked, — 

"  And  what  do  you  want  to  do  with  him,  Mickey  ?  " 

"  The  sorra  one  o*  me  knows,  for  he  spakes  no  dacent 
tongue.  Thighum  thu,"  said  he,  addressing  the  prisoner, 
with  a  poke  in  the  ribs  at  the  same  moment ;  "but  sure, 
Master  Charles,  he  might  tache  me  French." 

There  was  something  so  irresistibly  ludicrous  in  his  tone 
and  look  as  he  said  these  words,  that  both  Power  and  my- 
self absolutely  roared  with  laughter.  We  began,  however, 
to  feel  not  a  little  ashamed  of  our  position  in  the  business, 
and  explained  to  the  Frenchman,  that  our  worthy  country- 
man had  but  little  experience  in  the  usages  of  war,  while 
we  proceeded  to  unbind  him,  and  liberate  him  from  his 
miserable  bondage. 

"  It's  letting  him  loose,  you  are,  captain  ?  Master 
Charles,  take  care  be-gorra,  av  you  had  as  much  trouble 
in  catching  him  as  I  had,  you'd  think  twice  about  letting 
him  out.  Listen  to  me,  now," — here  he  placed  his  closed 
fist  within  an  inch  of  the  poor  prisoner's  nose, — "  listen  to 
me ;  av  you  say  peas,  by  the  morteal,  I'll  not  lave  a  whole 
bone  in  your  skin." 

With  some  difficulty  we  persuaded  Mike  that  his  con- 
duct, so  far  from  leading  to  his  promotion,  might,  if 
known  in  another  quarter,  procure  him  an  acquaintance 
with  the  Provost-Marshal, — a  fact  which,  it  was  plain  to 
perceive,  gave  him  but  a  very  poor  impression  of  military 
gratitude. 

"  Oh,  then,  if  they  were  in  swarms  foment  me,  devil 
receave  the  prisoner  I'll  take  again." 

So  saying,  he  slowly  returned  to  the  regiment,  while 


THE   REVIEW.  861 

Power  and  I,  having  conducted  the  Frenchman  to  the 
rear,  cantered  towards  the  town  to  learn  the  news  of 
the  day. 

The  city  on  that  day  presented  a  most  singular  aspect — 
the  streets,  filled  with  the  town's-people  and  the  soldiery, 
were  decorated  with  flags  and  garlands — the  cafes  were 
crowded  with  merry  groups,  and  the  sounds  of  music  and 
laughter  resounded  on  all  sides.  The  houses  seemed  to  be 
quite  inadequate  to  afford  accommodation  to  the  numerous 
guests,  and,  in  consequence,  bullock  cars  and  forage  wag- 
gons were  converted  into  temporary  hotels,  and  many  a 
jovial  party  were  collected  in  both.  Military  music,  church 
bells,  drinking  choruses,  were  all  commingled  in  the  din 
and  turmoil ;  processions  in  honour  of  "  Our  Lady  of  Suc- 
cour '*  were  jammed  up  among  bacchanalian  orgies,  and 
their  very  chant  half-drowned  in  the  cries  of  the  wounded, 
as  they  passed  on  to  the  hospitals.  With  difficulty  we 
pushed  our  way  through  the  dense  mob,  as  we  turned  our 
steps  towards  the  seminary.  We  both  felt  naturally  curious 
to  see  the  place  where  our  first  detachment  landed,  and  to 
examine  the  opportunities  of  defence  it  presented.  The 
building  itself  was  a  large  and  irregular  one,  of  an  oblong 
form,  surrounded  by  a  high  wall  of  solid  masonry,  the 
only  entrance  being  by  a  heavy  iron  gate. 

At  this  spot  the  battle  appeared  to  have  raged  with 
violence ;  one  side  of  the  massive  gate  was  torn  from  its 
hinges,  and  lay  flat  upon  the  ground;  the  walls  were 
breached  in  many  places ;  and  pieces  of  torn  uniforms, 
broken  bayonets,  and  bruised  shakos,  attested  that  the 
conflict  was  a  close  one.  The  seminary  itself  was  in  a 
falling  state ;  the  roof,  from  which  Paget  had  given  his 
orders,  and  where  he  was  wounded,  had  fallen  in.  The 
French  cannon  had  fissured  the  building  from  top  to 
bottom,  and  it  seemed  only  awaiting  the  slightest  impulse 
to  crumble  into  ruin.  When  we  regarded  the  spot,  and 
examined  the  narrow  doorway  which,  opening  upon  a 
flight  of  a  few  steps  to  the  river,  admitted  our  first  party, 
we  could  not  help  feeling  struck  anew  with  the  gallantry 
of  that  mere  handful  of  brave  fellows,  who  thus  threw 
themselves  amid  the  overwhelming  legions  of  the  enemy, 
and  at  once,  without  waiting  for  a  single  reinforcement, 
opened  a  fire  upon  their  ranks.  Bold  as  the  enterprise 


862  OH1BLB8   O*MALLET. 

unquestionably  was,  we  still  felt  with  what  consummate 
judgment  it  had  been  planned ; — a  bend  of  the  river  con- 
cealed entirely  the  passage  of  the  troops,  the  guns  of  the 
Sierra  covered  their  landing,  and  completely  swept  one 
approach  to  the  seminary.  The  French,  being  thus  obliged 
to  attack  by  the  gate,  were  compelled  to  make  a  consider- 
able detour  before  they  reached  it,  all  of  which  gave  time 
for  our  divisions  to  cross  ;  while  the  brigade  of  Guards, 
under  General  Sherbroke,  profiting  by  the  confusion,  passed 
the  river  below  the  town,  and  took  the  enemy  unexpectedly 
in  the  rear. 

Brief  as  was  the  struggle  within  the  town,  it  must  have 
been  a  terrific  one  :  the  artillery  were  firing  at  musket- 
range  ;  cavalry  and  iufanty  were  fighting  hand  to  hand  in 
narrow  streets,  a  destructive  musketry  pouring  all  the 
while  from  windows  and  house-tops. 

At  the  Amarante  gate,  where  the  French  defiled,  the 
carnage  was  also  great ;  their  light  artillery  unlimbered 
some  guns  here,  to  cover  the  columns  as  they  deployed; 
but  Murray's  cavalry  having  carried  these,  the  flank  of 
the  infantry  became  entirely  exposed  to  the  galling  fire  of 
small-arms  from  the  seminary,  and  the  far  more  destruc- 
tive shower  of  grape  that  poured  unceasingly  from  the 
Sierra. 

Our  brigade  did  the  rest ;  and,  in  less  than  one  hour 
from  the  landing  of  the  first  man,  the  French  were  in 
full  retreat  upon  Vallonga. 

"  A  glorious  thing,  Charley,"  said  Power,  after  a  pause, 
"  and  a  proud  souvenir  for  hereafter." 

A  truth  I  felt  deeply  at  the  time,  and  one  my  heart 
responds  to  not  less  fully  as  I  am  writing. 


CHAPTER  XLVIIL 

THE    QUARKEL. 

ON  the  evening  of  the  12th,  orders  were  received  for  the 
German  brigade,  and  three  squadrons  of  our  regiment,  to 
pursue  the  French  upon  the  Terracinthe  road  by  daybreak 
on  the  following  morning. 

I  was  busily  occupied  in  my  preparations  for  a  hurried 
march,  when  Mike  came  up  to  say  that  an  officer  desired 
to  speak  with  me ;  and  the  moment  after  Captain  Ham- 
mersley  appeared.  A  sudden  flush  coloured  his  pale  and 
sickly  features,  as  he  held  out  his  hand,  and  said, — 

"  I've  come  to  wish  you  joy,  O'Malley.  I  just  this  in- 
stant heard  of  your  promotion.  I  am  sincerely  glad  of 
it ;  pray  tell  me  the  whole  affair." 

"  That  is  the  very  thing  I  am  unable  to  do.  I  have 
some  very  vague,  indistinct  remembrance  of  warding 
off  a  sabre-cut  from  the  head  of  a  wounded  and  unhorsed 
officer  in  the  melee  of  yesterday ;  but  more  I  know  not. 
In  fact,  it  was  my  first  day  under  fire ;  I've  a  tolerably 
clear  recollection  of  all  the  events  of  the  morning,  but  the 
word  '  Charge  ! '  once  given,  I  remember  very  little  more. 
But  you,  where  have  you  been  ?  How  have  we  not  met 
before?" 

"  I've  exchanged  into  a  heavy  dragoon  regiment,  and 
am  now  employed  upon  the  staff." 

"  You  are  aware  that  I  have  letters  for  you  ?  " 

"  Power  hinted,  I  think,  something  of  the  kind.  I  saw 
him  very  hurriedly." 

These  words  were  spoken  with  an  effort  at  nonchalance 
that  evidently  cost  him  much. 

As  for  me,  my  agitation  was  scarcely  less,  as,  fumbling 
for  some  seconds  in  my  portmanteau,  I  drew  forth  the 
long  destined  packet.  As  I  placed  it  in  his  hands  he  grew 
deadly  pale,  and  a  slight  spasmodic  twitch  in  his  upper 
lip  bespoke  some  unnatural  struggle.  He  broke  the  seal 

Vol.  30— (13) 


864  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

suddenly,  and,  as  lie  did  so,  the  morocco  case  of  a  minia- 
ture fell  upon  the  ground  ;  his  eyes  fell  rapidly  across  the 
letter;  the  livid  colour  of  his  lips,  as  the  blood  forced 
itself  to  them,  added  to  the  corpse-like  hue  of  his  counte- 
nance. 

"  You,  probably,  are  aware  of  the  contents  of  this 
letter,  Mr.  O'Malley  ?  "  said  he,  in  an  altered  voice,  whose 
tones,  half  in  anger,  half  in  suppressed  irony,  cut  to  my 
very  heart. 

"  I  am  in  complete  ignorance  of  them,"  said  I,  calmly. 

"Indeed,  sir!  "  replied  he,  with  a  sarcastic  curl  of  his 
mouth  as  he  spoke.  "  Then,  perhaps,  you  will  tell  me,  too, 
that  your  very  success  is  a  secret  to  you  ?  " 

"  I'm  really  not  aware- — 

"You  think,  probably,  sir,  that  the  pastime  is  an  amus- 
ing one,  to  interfere  where  the  affections  of  others  are 
concerned.  I've  heard  of  you,  sir.  Your  conduct  at 
Lisbon  is  known  to  me ;  and,  though  Captain  Trevyllian 
may  bear " 

"  Stop,  Captain  Hammersley !  "  said  I,  with  a  tremen- 
dous effort  to  be  calm  ;  "  stop  ;  you  have  said  enough,  quite 
enough,  to  convince  me  of  what  your  object  was  in  seeking 
me  here  to-day.  You  shall  not  be  disappointed.  I  trust 
that  assurance  will  save  you  from  any  further  display  of 
temper." 

"  I  thank  you ;  most  humbly  I  thank  you  for  the  quick- 
ness of  your  apprehension  ;  and  I  shall  now  take  my  leave. 
Good  evening,  Mr.  O'Malley.  I  wish  you  much  joy  ;  you 
have  my  very  fullest  congratulations  upon  all  your  good 
fortune." 

The  sneering  emphasis  the  last  words  were  spoken  with 
remained  fixed  in  my  mind  long  after  he  took  his  departure ; 
and,  indeed,  so  completely  did  the  whole  seem  like  a  dream 
to  me,  that  were  it  not  for  the  fragments  of  the  miniature 
that  lay  upon  the  ground,  where  he  had  crushed  them 
with  his  heel,  I  could  scarcely  credit  myself  that  I  was 
awake. 

My  first  impulse  was  to  seek  Power,  upon  whose  judg- 
ment and  discretion  I  could  with  confidence  rely. 

I  had  not  long  to  wait ;  for,  scarcely  had  I  thrown  my 
cloak  around  me,  when  he  rode  up.  He  had  just  seen 
Hammersley,  and  learned  something  of  our  interview. 


THE   QUARREL.  865 

"  Why,  Charley,  my  dear  fellow!  what  is  this  ?  How 
have  you  treated  poor  Hammers! ey  ?  " 

"  Treated  him !  say,  rather,  how  has  he  treated 
mef" 

I  here  entered  into  a  short  but  accurate  account  of  our 
meeting,  during  which  Power  listened  with  great  com- 
posure ;  while  I  could  perceive,  from  the  questions  he 
asked,  that  some  very  different  impression  had  been  pre- 
viously made  upon  his  mind. 

"  And  this  was  all  that  passed?  " 

«  All." 

"  But  what  of  the  business  at  Lisbon  ?  ** 

"I  don't  understand." 

"  Why,  he  speaks — he  has  heard  some  foolish  account 
of  your  having  made  some  ridiculous  speech  there  about 
your  successful  rivalry  of  him  in  Ireland — Lucy  Dashwood, 
I  suppose,  is  referred  to.  Some  one  has  been  good-natured 
enough  to  repeat  the  thing  to  him." 

"  But  it  never  occurred.     I  never  did." 

"  Are  you  sure,  Charley  ?  " 

"  I  am  sure ;  I  know  I  never  did." 

"  The  poor  fellow,  he  has  been  duped !  Come,  Charley, 
you  must  not  take  it  ill.  Poor  Hammersley  has  never 
recovered  a  sabre- wound  he  received  some  months  since 
upon  the  head ;  his  intellects  are  really  affected  by  it. 
Leave  it  all  to  me.  Promise  not  to  leave  your  quarters 
till  I  return  ;  and  I'll  put  everything  right  again." 

I  gave  the  required  pledge ;  while  Power,  springing 
into  the  saddle,  left  me  to  my  own  reflections. 

My  frame  of  mind,  as  Power  left  me,  was  by  no  means 
an  enviable  one.  A  quarrel  is  rarely  a  happy  incident  in  a 
man's  life,  still  less  is  it  so  when  the  difference  arises  with 
one  we  are  disposed  to  like  and  respect.  Such  was  Ham- 
mersley ;  his  manly,  straightforward  character  had  won 
my  esteem  and  regard,  and  it  was  with  no  common 
scrutiny  I  taxed  my  memory  to  think  what  could  have 
given  rise  to  the  impression  he  laboured  under  of  my 
having  injured  him.  His  chance  mention  of  Trevyllian 
suggested  to  me  some  suspicion  that  his  dislike  of  me, 
wherefore  arising  I  knew  not,  might  have  its  share  in  the 
matter ;  and  in  this  state  of  doubt  and  uncertainty  I  paced 
impatiently  up  and  down,  anxiously  watching  for  Power'i 


866  CHARLES  O'MALLBY. 

return,  in  the  hope  of  at  length  getting  some  real  insight 
into  the  difficulty. 

My  patience  was  fast  ebbing,  Power  had  been  absent 
above  an  hour,  and  no  appearance  of  him  could  I  detect, 
when  suddenly  the  tramp  of  a  horse  came  rapidly  up  the 
hilL  I  looked  out,  and  saw  a  rider  coming  forward  at  a  very 
fast  pace.  Before  I  had  time  for  even  a  guess  as  to  who 
it  was,  he  drew  up,  and  I  recognized  Captain  Trevyllian. 
There  was  a  certain  look  of  easy  impertinence  and  half- 
smiling  satisfaction  about  his  features  I  had  never  seen 
before,  as  he  touched  his  cap  in  salute,  and  said,— 

"  May  I  have  the  honour  of  a  few  words'  conversation 
with  you  ?  " 

I  bowed  silently,  while  he  dismounted,  and  passing  his 
bridle  beneath  his  arm,  walked  on  beside  me. 

"  My  friend,  Captain  Hammersley,  has  commissioned 
me  to  wait  upon  you  about  this  unpleasant  affair " 

"  I  beg  pardon  for  the  interruption,  Captain  Trevyllian, 
but  as  I  have  yet  to  learn  to  what  you  or  your  friend 
alludes,  perhaps  it  may  facilitate  matters  if  you  will  ex- 
plicitly state  your  meaning." 

He  grew  crimson  on  the  cheek  as  I  said  this,  while,  with 
a  voice  perfectly  unmoved,  he  continued, — 

"  I  am  not  sufficiently  in  my  friend's  confidence  to  know 
the  whole  of  the  affair  in  question,  nor  have  I  his  per- 
mission to  enter  into  any  of  it,  he  probably  presuming,  as 
I  certainly  did  myself,  that  your  sense  of  honour  would 
have  deemed  further  parley  and  discussion  both  unneces- 
sary and  unseasonable." 

"  In  fact,  then,  if  I  understand,  it  is  expected  that  I 
should  meet  Captain  Hammersley  for  some  reason  un- 
known  " 

"  He  certainly  desires  a  meeting  with  you,"  was  the  dry 
reply. 

"  And  as  certainly  I  shall  not  give  it,  before  under- 
standing upon  what  grounds.*' 

"  And  such  I  am  to  report  as  your  answer  ?  "  said  he, 
looking  at  me  at  the  moment  with  an  expression  of  ill- 
repressed  triumph  as  he  spoke. 

There  was  something  in  these  few  words,  as  well  as  in 
the  tone  in  which  they  were  spoken,  that  sunk  deeply  in 
my  heart.  Was  it  that  by  some  trick  of  diplomacy  he 


THE   QTJAEREL.  867 

was  endeavouring  to  compromise  my  honour  and  charac- 
ter? was  it  ]> 'i-'sible  that  my  refusal  might  be  construed 
into  any  other  tl^u  the  real  cause  ?  I  was  too  young,  too 
inexperienced  in  the  world  to  decide  the  question  for 
myself,  and  no  time  was  allowed  me  to  seek  another's 
counsel.  What  a  trying  moment  was  that  for  me  !  my 
temples  throbbed,  my  heart  beat  almost  audibly,  and  I 
stood  afraid  to  speak ;  dreading,  on  the  one  hand,  lest  my 
compliance  might  involve  me  in  an  act  to  embitter  my  life 
for  ever,  and  fearful,  on  the  other,  that  my  refusal  might 
be  reported  as  a  trait  of  cowardice. 

He  saw,  he  read  my  difficulty  at  a  glance,  and,  with  a 
smile  of  most  supercilious  expression,  repeated  coolly  his 
former  question.  In  an  instant  all  thought  of  Hammersley 
was  forgotten.  I  remembered  no  more.  I  saw  him  before 
me,  he  who  had,  since  my  first  meeting,  continually  con- 
trived to  pass  some  inappreciable  slight  upon  me.  My 
eyes  flashed,  my  hands  tingled  with  ill-repressed  rage,  as 
I  said, — 

"  With  Captain  Hammersley  I  am  conscious  of  no 
quarrel,  nor  have  I  ever  shown  by  any  act  or  look  an  in- 
tention to  provoke  one.  Indeed,  such  demonstrations  are 
not  always  successful ;  there  are  persons  most  rigidly 
scrupulous  for  a  friend's  honour,  little  disposed  to  guard 
their  own." 

"  You  mistake,"  said  he,  interrupting  me,  as  I  spoke 
these  words  with  a  look  as  insulting  as  I  could  make  it ; 
"  you  mistake.  I  have  sworn  a  solemn  oath  never  to  ten d 
a  challenge." 

The  emphasis  upon  the  word  "  send,"  explained  fully 
his  meaning,  when  I  said, — 

"  But  you  will  not  decline-——" 

"  Most  certainly  not,"  said  he,  again  interrupting,  while 
with  sparkling  eye  and  elated  look  he  drew  himself  up  to 
his  full  height.  "  Your  friend  is " 

"  Captain  Power :  and  yours " 

"Sir  Harry  Beaufort.  I  may  observe  that,  as  the 
troops  are  in  marching  order,  the  matter  had  better  not  be 
delayed." 

"  There  shall  be  none  on  my  part." 

"  Nor  mine  !  "  said  he,  as  with  a  low  bow,  and  a  look 
of  most  ineffable  triumph,  he  sprang  into  his  saddle ;  then, 


368  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

"  Au  revoir,  Mr.  O'Malley,"  said  he,  gathering  up  his 
reins.  "  Beaufort  is  on  the  staff,  and  quartered  at  Oporto." 
So  saying,  he  cantered  easily  down  the  slope,  and  once 
more  I  was  alone. 


CHAPTER  XLIX. 

THE    ROUTE. 

I  WAS  leisurely  examining  my  pistols — poor  Conaidine's 
last  present  to  me  on  leaving  home — when  an  orderly 
sergeant  rode  rapidly  up,  and  delivered  into  my  hands  the 
following  order : — 

"  Lieutenant  O'Malley  will  hold  himself  in  immediate 
readiness  to  proceed  on  a  particular  service.  By  order  of 
his  Excellency  the  Commander  of  the  Forces. 

(Signed)         "  S.  GORDON,  Military  Secretary." 

"  What  can  this  mean  ?  "  thought  I.  "  It  is  not  possible 
that  any  rumour  of  my  intended  meeting  could  have  got 
abroad,  and  that  my  present  destination  could  be  intended 
as  a  punishment?" 

I  walked  hurriedly  to  the  door  of  the  little  hut  which 
formed  my  quarters ;  below  me,  in  the  plain,  all  was 
activity  and  preparation ;  the  infantry  were  drawn  up  in 
marching  order ;  baggage  waggons,  ordnance  stores  and 
artillery  seemed  all  in  active  preparation  ;  and  some  cavalry 
squadrons  might  be  already  seen,  with  forage  allowances 
behind  the  saddle,  as  if  only  waiting  the  order  to  set  out. 
I  strained  my  eyes  to  see  if  Power  was  coming,  but  no 
horseman  approached  in  the  direction.  I  stood,  and  I 
hesitated  whether  I  should  not  rather  seek  him  at  once, 


THE  ROUTE.  869 

than  continue  to  wait  on  in  my  present  uncertainty  ;  but 
then,  what  if  I  should  miss  him?  and  I  had  pledged 
myself  to  remain  till  he  returned. 

While  I  deliberated  thus  with  myself,  weighing  the 
various  chances  for  and  against  each  plan,  I  saw  two 
mounted  officers  coming  towards  me  at  a  brisk  trot.  As 
they  came  nearer,  I  recognized  one  as  my  Colonel;  the 
other  was  an  officer  of  the  staff. 

Supposing  that  their  mission  had  some  relation  to  the 
order  I  had  so  lately  received,  and  which  until  now  I  had 
forgotten,  I  hastily  returned,  and  ordered  Mike  to  my 
presence. 

"  How  are  the  horses,  Mike  ?  "  said  L 

"  Never  better,  sir.  Badger  was  wounded  slightly  by 
a  spent  shot  in  the  counter,  but  he's  never  the  worse 
this  morning,  and  the  black  horse  is  capering  like  a 
filly." 

"  Get  ready  my  pack,  feed  the  cattle,  and  be  prepared 
to  set  out  at  a  moment's  warning." 

"  Good  advice,  O'Malley,"  said  the  Colonel,  as  he  over- 
heard the  last  direction  to  my  servant.  "  I  hope  the 
nags  are  in  condition  ?  " 

"  Why,  yes,  sir,  I  believe  they  are." 

"  All  the  better ;  you've  a  sharp  ride  before  yon.  Mean- 
while, let  me  introduce  my  friend ;  Captain  Beaumont — 
Mr.  O'Malley.  1  think  we  had  better  be  seated." 

"  These  are  your  instructions,  Mr.  O'Malley,"  said  Cap- 
tain Beaumont,  unfolding  a  map  as  he  spoke.  "  You  will 
proceed  from  this,  with  half  a  troop  of  your  regiment,  by 
forced  marches,  towards  the  frontier,  passing  through  the 
town  of  Calenco,  and  Guarda,  and  the  Estrella  pass.  On 
arriving  at  the  head-quarters  of  the  Lusitanian  Legion, 
which  you  will  find  there,  you  are  to  put  yourself  under 
the  orders  of  Major  Monsoon,  cojnmanding  that  force. 
Any  Portuguese  cavalry  he  may  have  with  him  will  be 
attached  to  yours,  and  under  your  command ;  your  rank, 
for  the  time,  being  that  of  captain.  You  will,  as  far  as 
possible,  acquaint  yourself  with  the  habits  and  capabili- 
ties of  the  native  cavalry,  and  make  such  report  as  you 
judge  necessary  thereupon  to  his  Excellency  the  Com- 
mander of  the  Forces.  I  think  it  only  fair  to  add,  that 
yo^  are  indebted  to  my  friend  Colonel  Merivale  for  the 


870  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

very  flattering  position  thus  opened  to  your  skill  and 
enterprise." 

"  My  dear  Colonel,  let  me  assure  you——" 

"  Not  a  word,  my  boy.  I  knew  the  thing  would  suit 
you,  and  I  am  sure  I  can  count  upon  your  not  disappoint- 
ing my  expectations  of  you.  Sir  Arthur  perfectly  remem- 
bers your  name.  He  only  asked  two  questions— 

"  *  Is  he  well  mounted  ? ' 

"  *  Admirably,'  was  my  answer. 

u  '  Can  you  depend  upon  his  promptitude  ?' 

"  *  He'll  leave  in  half  an  hour.' 

"  So  you  see,  O'Malley,  I  have  already  pledged  myself 
for  you.  And  now  I  must  say  adieu ;  the  regiments  are 
about  to  take  up  a  more  advanced  position,  so  good-by.  I 
hope  you'll  have  a  pleasant  time  of  it  till  we  meet 
again." 

"  It  is  now  twelve  o'clock,  Mr.  O'Malley,"  said  Beau- 
mont; "  we  may  rely  upon  your  immediate  departure. 
Your  written  instructions  and  despatches  will  be  here 
within  a  quarter  of  an  hour." 

I  muttered  something — what,  I  cannot  remember ;  I 
bowed  my  thanks  to  my  worthy  Colonel,  shook  his  hand 
warmly,  and  saw  him  ride  down  the  hill,  and  disappear 
in  the  crowd  of  soldiery  beneath,  before  I  could  recal  my 
faculties  and  think  over  my  situation. 

Then  all  at  once  did  the  full  difficulty  of  my  position 
break  upon  me.  If  I  accepted  my  present  employment,  I 
must  certainly  fail  in  my  engagement  to  Trevyllian.  But 
I  had  already  pledged  myself  to  its  acceptance.  What 
was  to  be  done  ?  No  time  was  left  for  deliberation.  The 
very  minutes  I  should  have  spent  in  preparation  were  fast 
passing.  Would  that  Power  might  appear.  Alas!  he 
came  not.  My  state  of  doubt  and  uncertainty  increased 
every  moment ;  I  saw  nothing  but  ruin  before  me,  even  at 
a  moment  when  fortune  promised  most  fairly  for  the 
future,  and  opened  a  field  of  enterprise  my  heart  had  so 
often  and  so  ardently  desired.  Nothing  was  left  me  but 
to  hasten  to  Colonel  Merivale  and  decline  me  Appoint- 
ment ;  to  do  so  was  to  prejudice  my  character  in  hia 
estimation  for  ever,  for  I  dared  not  allege  my  reasons,  and 
in  all  probability  my  conduct  might  require  my  leaving 
the  army. 


THE   ROUTE.  871 

"  Be  it  so,  then,"  said  I,  in  an  accent  of  despair ;  '*  the 
die  is  cast." 

I  ordered  my  horse  round;  I  wrote  a  few  words  to 
Power,  to  explan  my  absence,  shonld  he  come  while  I  was 
away,  and  leaped  into  the  saddle.  As  I  reached  the  plain 
my  pace  became  a  gallop,  and  I  pressed  my  horse  with  all 
the  impatience  my  heart  was  burning  with.  I  dashed 
along  the  lines  towards  Oporto,  neither  hearing  nor  seeing 
anght  around  me,  when  suddenly  the  clank  of  cavalry 
accoutrements  behind  induced  me  to  turn  rny  head,  and 
I  perceived  an  orderly  dragoon  at  full  gallop  in  pursuit.  I 
pulled  up  till  he  came  alongside. 

"  Lieutenant  O'Malley,  sir,"  said  the  man,  saluting, 
*'  these  despatches  are  for  you." 

I  took  them  hurriedly,  and  was  about  to  continue  my 
route,  when  the  attitude  of  the  dragoon  arrested  my 
attention.  He  had  reined  in  his  horse  to  the  side  of  the 
narrow  causeway,  and,  holding  him  still  and  steadily,  sat 
motionless  as  a  statue.  I  looked  behind,  and  saw  the 
whole  statf  approaching  at  a  brisk  trot.  Before  I  had  a 
moment  for  thought  they  were  beside  me. 

"  Ah !  O'Malley,"  cried  Merivale,  "  you  have  your 
orders  ;  don't  wait;  his  Excellency  is  coming  up." 

"  Get  along,  I  advise  you,"  said  another,  "  or  you'll  catch 
it,  as  some  of  us  have  done  this  morning." 

"All  is  right,  Charley;  you  can  go  in  safety,"  said  a 
whispering  voice,  as  Power  passed  in  a  sharp  canter. 

That  one  sentence  was  enough  ;  my  heart  bounded  like 
a  deer,  my  cheek  beamed  with  the  glow  of  delighted 
pleasure,  I  closed  my  spurs  upon  my  gallant  grey,  and 
dashed  across  the  plain. 

When  I  arrived  at  my  quarters  the  men  were  drawn  up 
in  waiting,  and  provided  with  rations  for  three  days' 
march :  Mike  was  also  prepared  for  the  road,  and  nothing 
more  remained  to  delay  me. 

"  Captain  Power  has  been  here,  sir,  and  left  a  note." 

I  took  it  and  thrust  it  hastily  into  my  sabretasche.  I 
knew  from  the  few  words  he  had  spoken,  that  my  present 
step  involved  me  in  no  ill  consequences ;  so,  giving  the 
word  to  wheel  into  column,  I  rode  to  the  front,  and  set 
out  upon  my  march  to  Alcantara. 


872  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 


CHAPTER  L. 

THl     WATCH-flBE. 

THERE  are  few  things  so  inspiriting  to  a  young  soldier  as 
the  being  employed  with  a  separate  command  ;  the  picket 
and  out-post  duty  have  a  charm  for  him  no  other  portion  of 
his  career  possesses.  The  field  seems  open  for  individual 
boldness  and  heroism  :  success,  if  obtained,  must  redound 
to  his  own  credit ;  and  what  can  equal,  in  its  spirit-stirring 
enthusiasm,  that  first  moment  when  we  become  in  any  way 
the  arbiter  of  our  own  fortunes  ? 

Such  were  my  happy  thoughts,  as,  with  a  proud  and 
elated  heart,  I  set  forth  upon  my  march.  The  notice  the 
Commander-in-Chief  had  bestowed  upon  me  had  already 
done  much  :  it  had  raised  me  in  my  own  estimation,  and 
implanted  within  me  a  longing  desire  for  further  distinc- 
tion. I  thought,  too,  of  those  far,  far  away,  who  were  yet 
to  hear  of  my  successes. 

I  fancied  to  myself  how  they  would  severally  receive 
the  news.  My  poor  uncle,  with  tearful  eye  and  quivering 
lip,  was  before  me,  as  I  saw  him  read  the  despatch,  then 
wipe  his  glasses,  and  read  on,  till  at  last,  with  one  long- 
drawn  breath,  his  manly  voice,  tremulous  with  emotion, 
would  break  forth — "  My  boy  !  my  own  Charley  !  "  Then 
I  pictured  Considine,  with  port  erect  and  stern  features, 
listening  silently  ;  not  a  syllable,  not  a  motion  betraying 
that  he  felt  interested  in  my  fate,  till,  as  if  impatient,  at 
length  he  would  break  in, — "  1  knew  it — I  said  so ;  and 
yet  you  thought  to  make  him  a  lawyer  !  "  And  then  old 
Sir  Harry  :  his  warm  heart  glowing  with  pleasure,  and 
his  good-humoured  face  I  earning  with  happiness.  How 
many  a  blunder  he  would  make  in  retailing  the  news,  and 
how  many  a  hearty  laugh  his  version  of  it  would  give 
rise  to ! 

I  passed  in  review  before  me  the  old  servants,  as  they 
lingered  in  the  room  to  hear  the  story.  Poor  old  Matthew, 


THE  WATCH-FIRE.  878 

the  butler,  fumbling  with  his  corkscrew  to  gain  a  little 
time  ;  then  looking  in  my  uncle's  face,  half  entreatingly, 
as  he  asked, — "  Any  news  of  Master  Charles,  sir,  from  the 
wars  ?  " 

While  thus  my  mind  wandered  back  to  the  scenes  and 
faces  of  my  early  home,  I  feared  to  ask  myself  how  she 
would  feel  to  whom  my  heart  was  now  turning?  Too 
deeply  did  I  know  how  poor  my  chances  were  in  that 
quarter  to  nourish  hope,  and  yet  I  could  not  bring  myself 
to  abandon  it  altogether.  Hammersley's  strange  conduct 
suggested  to  me  that  he,  at  least,  could  not  be  my  rival, 
while  I  plainly  perceived  that  he  regarded  me  as  his. 
There  was  a  mystery  in  all  this  I  could  not  fathom,  and  I 
ardently  longed  for  my  next  meeting  with  Power,  to  learn 
the  nature  of  his  interview,  and  also  in  what  manner  the 
affair  had  been  arranged. 

Such  were  my  passing  thoughts  as  I  pressed  forward. 
My  men,  picked  no  less  for  themselves  than  their  horses, 
came  rapidly  along ;  and,  ere  evening,  we  had  accomplished 
twelve  leagues  of  our  journey. 

The  country  through  which  we  journeyed,  though  wild 
and  romantic  in  its  character,  was  singularly  rich  and 
fertile, — cultivation  reaching  to  the  very  summits  of  the 
rugged  mountains,  and  patches  of  wheat  and  Indian  corn 
peeping  amid  masses  of  granite  rock  and  tangled  brush- 
wood. The  vine  and  the  olive  grew  wild  on  every  side ; 
while  the  orange  and  the  arbutus,  loading  the  air  with 
perfume,  were  mingled  with  prickly  pear-trees  and  varie- 
gated hollies.  We  followed  no  regular  track,  but  cantered 
along  over  hill  and  valley,  through  forest  and  prairie ;  now 
in  long  file  through  some  tall  field  of  waving  corn,  now 
in  open  order  upon  some  level  plain ;  our  Portuguese 
guide  riding  a  little  in  advance  of  us,  upon  a  jet-black 
mule,  carolling  merrily  some  wild  Galician  melody  as  he 
went. 

As  the  sun  was  setting,  we  arrived  beside  a  little  stream, 
that,  flowing  along  a  rocky  bed,  skirted  avast  forest  of 
tall  cork-trees.  Here  we  called  a  halt ;  and,  picketing 
our  horses,  proceeded  to  make  our  arrangements  for  a 
bivouac. 

Never  do  I  remember  a  more  lovely  night.  The  watch- 
fires  sent  up  a  delicious  odour  from  the  perfumed  shrubs  ; 


874  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

while  the  glassy  water  reflected  on  its  still  surface  the 
starry  sky  that,  unshadowed  and  unclouded,  stretched 
above  us.  I  wrapped  myself  in  my  trooper's  mantle,  and 
lay  down  beneath  a  tree, — but  not  to  sleep.  There  was 
a  something  so  exciting,  and  withal  so  tranquillizing,  that  I 
had  no  thought  of  slumber,  but  fell  into  a  musing  reverie. 
There  was  a  character  of  adventure  in  my  position  that 
charmed  me  much.  My  men  were  gathered  in  little 
groups  beside  the  fires ;  some  sunk  in  slumber,  others  sat 
smoking  silently,  or  chatting,  in  a  low  and  undertone,  of 
gome  bygone  scene  of  battle  or  bivouac  ;  here  and  there 
were  picketed  the  horses ;  the  heavy  panoply  and  piled 
carbines  flickering  in  the  red  glare  of  the  watch-fires, 
which  ever  and  anon  threw  a  flitting  glow  upon  the  stern 
and  swarthy  faces  of  my  bold  troopers.  Upon  the  trees 
around,  sabres  and  helmets,  holsters  and  cross-belts,  were 
hung  like  armorial  bearings  in  some  antique  hall,  the  dark 
foilage  spreading  its  heavy  shadow  around  us.  Farther 
off,  upon  a  little  rocky  ledge,  the  erect  figure  of  the  sentry, 
with  his  short  carbine  resting  in  the  hollow  of  his  arm,  was 
seen  slowly  pacing  in  measured  tread,  or  standing  for  a 
moment  silently,  as  he  looked  upon  the  fair  and  tranquil 
sky, — his  thoughts  doubtless  far,  far  away,  beyond  the  sea, 
to  some  humble  home,  where — 

44  The  ham  of  the  spreading  sycamore, 
That  grew  beside  his  cottage  door," 

was  again  in  his  ears,  while  the  merry  laugh  of  his  children 
stirred  his  bold  heart.  It  was  a  Salvator-Bosa  scene,  and 
brought  me  back  in  fancy  to  the  bandit  legends  I  had 
read  in  boyhood.  By  the  uncertain  light  of  the  wood 
embers  I  endeavoured  to  sketch  the  group  that  lay 
before  me. 

The  night  worn  on.  One  by  one  the  soldiers  stretched 
themselves  to  sleep,  and  all  was  still.  As  the  hours  rolled 
by,  a  drowsy  feeling  crept  gradually  over  me.  I  placed 
my  pistols  by  my  side,  and,  having  replenished  the 
fire  by  some  fresh  logs,  disposed  myself  comfortably 
before  it. 

It  was  during  that  half-dreamy  state  that  intervenes 
between  waking  and  sleep,  that  a  rustling  sound  of  the 


THIS   WATCH-  FIBS.  875 

branches  behind  attracted  my  attention.  The  air  was  too 
calm  to  attribute  this  to  the  wind,  so  I  listened  for  some 
minutes ;  but,  sleep,  too  long  deferred,  was  over-powerful, 
and  my  head  sank  upon  my  grassy  pillow,  and  I  was  soon 
sound  asleep.  How  long  I  remained  thus,  I  know  not ; 
but  I  awoke  suddenly.  I  fancied  some  one  had  shaken  me 
rudely  by  the  shoulder ;  but  yet  all  was  tranquil.  My 
men  were  sleeping  soundly,  as  I  saw  them  last.  The  fires 
were  becoming  low,  and  a  grey  streak  in  the  sky,  as  well 
as  a  sharp  cold  feeling  of  the  air,  betokened  the  approach 
of  day.  Once  more  I  heaped  some  dry  branches  together, 
and  was  about  again  to  stretch  myself  to  rest,  when  I  felt 
a  hand  upon  my  shoulder.  I  turned  quickly  round,  and, 
by  the  imperfect  light  of  the  fire,  saw  the  figure  of  a  man 
standing  motionless  beside  me ;  his  head  was  bare,  and  his 
hair  fell  in  long  curls  upon  his  shoulders  ;  one  hand  was 
pressed  upon  his  bosom,  and  with  the  other  he  motioned 
me  to  silence.  My  first  impression  was  that  our  party 
were  surprised  by  some  French  patrol ;  but,  as  I  looked 
again,  I  recognized  to  my  amazement,  that  the  individual 
before  me  was  the  young  French  officer  I  had  seen  that 
morning  a  prisoner  beside  the  Douro. 

"  How  came  you  here  ?  "  said  I,  in  a  low  voice,  to  him 
in  French. 

"  Escaped  ;  one  of  my  own  men  threw  himself  between 
me  and  the  sentry  ;  I  swam  the  Don.ro,  received  a  musket- 
ball  through  my  arm,  lost  my  shako, — and  here  I  am! " 

"  You  are  aware  you  are  again  a  prisoner  ?  " 

"  If  you  desire  it,  of  course  I  am,"  said  he,  in  a  voice  full 
of  feeling,  that  made  my  very  heart  creep.  "  I  thought 
you  were  a  party  of  Lorge's  Dragoons,  scouring  the 
country  for  forage  ;  tracked  you  the  entire  day,  and  have 
only  now  come  up  with  you." 

The  poor  fellow,  who  had  neither  eaten  nor  drank  since 
daybreak,  wounded  and  footsore,  had  accomplished  twelva 
leagues  of  a  march,  only  once  more  to  fall  into  the  hands 
of  his  enemies.  His  years  could  scarcely  have  numbered 
nineteen;  his  countenance  was  singularly  prepossessing; 
and,  though  bleeding  and  torn,  with  tattered  uniform,  and 
without  a  covering  to  his  head,  there  was  no  mistaking 
for  a  moment  that  he  was  of  gentle  blood.  Noiselessly 
and  cautiously  I  made  him  sit  down  beside  the  fire,  while 


876  OHABLES  O'MALLE*. 

I  spread  before  him  the  sparing  remnant  of  my  last 
night's  supper,  and  shared  my  solitary  bottle  of  sherry 
with  him. 

From  the  moment  he  spoke,  I  never  entertained  a 
thought  of  making  him  a  prisoner  ;  but,  as  I  knew  not  how 
far  I  was  culpable  in  permitting,  if  not  actually  facilitating, 
his  escape,  I  resolved  to  keep  the  circumstance  a  secret 
from  my  party,  and,  if  possible,  get  him  away  before  day- 
break. 

No  sooner  did  he  learn  my  intentions  regarding  him, 
than  in  an  instant  all  memory  of  his  past  misfortune,  all 
thoughts  of  his  present  destitute  condition,  seemed  to  have 
fled  ;  and,  while  I  dressed  his  wound  and  bound  up  his 
shattered  arm,  he  chattered  away  as  unconcernedly  about 
the  past  and  the  future  as  though  seated  beside  the  fire  of 
his  own  bivouac,  and  surrounded  by  his  own  brother 
officers. 

"  You  took  us  by  surprise  the  other  day,"  said  he. 
"  Our  Marshal  looked  for  the  attack  from  the  mouth  of 
the  river  ;  we  received  information  that  your  ships  were 
expected  there.  In  any  case,  our  retreat  was  an  orderly 
one,  and  must  have  been  effected  with  slight  loss." 

I  smiled  at  the  self-complacency  of  this  reasoning,  but 
did  not  contradict  him. 

"  Your  loss  must  indeed  have  been  great ;  your  men 
crossed  under  the  fire  of  a  whole  battery." 

"  Not  exactly,"  said  I  ;  "  our  first  party  were  quietly 
stationed  in  Oporto  before  you  knew  anything  about  it." 

" Ah  /  sacre  Dieuf  Treachery  !  "  cried  he,  striking  his 
forehead  with  his  clenched  fist. 

"  Not  so  ;  mere  daring — nothing  more.  But  come,  tell 
me  something  of  your  own  adventures.  How  were  you 
taken  ? " 

"  Simply  thus :  I  was  sent  to  the  rear  with  orders  to 
the  artillery  to  cut  their  traces,  and  leave  the  guns  ;  and 
when  coming  back,  my  horse  grew  tired  in  the  heavy 
ground,  and  I  was  sparring  him  to  the  utmost,  when  one 
of  your  heavy  dragoons — an  officer,  too — dashed  at  me,  and 
actually  rode  me  down,  horse  and  all.  I  lay  for  some 
time  bruised  by  the  fall,  when  an  infantry  soldier  passing 
by,  seized  me  by  the  collar,  and  brought  me  to  the  rear. 
No  matter,  however,  here  I  am  now.  You  will  not  give 


THE   WATCH-FIRS.  877 

me  up ;  and,  perhaps,  I  may  one  day  live  to  repay  the 
kindness." 

"  You  have  not  long  joined  ?  " 

"  It  was  my  first  battle  ;  my  epaulettes  were  very  smart 
things  yesterday,  though  they  do  look  a  little  passees  to- 
day. You  are  advancing,  I  suppose  ?  " 

I  smiled,  without  answering  this  question. 

"  Ah,  I  see  you  don't  wish  to  speak ;  never  mind,  your 
discretion  is  thrown  away  upon  me ;  for,  if  I  rejoined  my 
regiment  to-morrow,  I  should  have  forgotten  all  you  told 
me— all  but  your  great  kindness."  These  last  words  he 
spoke,  bowing  slightly  his  head,  and  colouring  as  he  said 
them. 

"  You  are  a  dragoon,  I  think  ?  "  said  I,  endeavouring  to 
change  the  topic. 

"  I  was,  two  days  ago,  chasseur  a  cheval,  a  sous-lieu- 
tenant in  the  regiment  of  my  father,  the  General  St. 
Croix." 

"  The  name  is  familiar  to  me,"  I  replied ;  "  and  I  am 
sincerely  happy  to  be  in  a  position  to  serve  the  son  of  so 
distinguished  an  officer." 

"  The  son  of  so  distinguished  an  officer  is  most  deeply 
obliged ;  but  wishes  with  all  his  heart  and  soul  he  had 
never  sought  glory  under  such  very  excellent  auspices/' 

"You  look  surprised,  mon  cher ;  but,  let  me  tell  you, 
my  military  ardour  is  considerably  abated  in  the  last  three 
days  ;  hunger,  thirst,  imprisonment,  and  this  " — lifting 
his  wounded  limb  as  he  spoke — "  are  sharp  lessons  in  so 
short  a  campaign,  and  for  one,  too,  whose  life  hitherto  had 
much  more  of  ease  than  adventure  to  boast  of.  Shall  I 
tell  you  how  I  became  a  soldier  ?  " 

"  By  all  means ;  give  me  your  glass  first ;  and  now,  with 

fresh  log  to  the  fire,  I'm  your  man." 

"  But  stay  ;  before  I  begin,  look  to  this." 

The  blood  was  flowing  rapidly  from  his  wound,  which, 
with  some  difficulty,  I  succeeded  in  stanching.  He  drank 
off  his  wine  hastily,  held  out  his  glass  to  be  refilled,  and 
then  began  his  story. 

*'  You  have  never  seen  the  Emperor  ?  ** 

"Never." 

"Sacrebleul  What  a  man  he  is!  I'd  rather  stand 
under  the  fire  of  your  grenadiers,  than  meet  his  eye. 


878  OHABLES  O'MALLEY. 

When  In  a  passion,  he  does  not  say  much,  it  is  true  ;  but 
what  he  does,  comes  with  a  kind  of  hissing,  rushing  sound, 
while  the  very  fire  seems  to  kindle  in  his  look.  I  have 
him  before  me  this  instant,  and,  though  you  will  confess 
that  my  present  condition  has  nothing  very  pleasing  in  it, 
I  should  be  sorry,  indeed,  to  change  it  for  the  last  time  I 
stood  in  his  presence. 

"  Two  months  ago,  I  sported  the  gay  light  blue  and 
silver  of  a  page  to  the  Emperor,  and  certainly  what  with 
balls,  bonbons,  flirtation,  gossip,  and  champagne  suppers, 
led  a  very  gay,  reckless,  and  indolent  life  of  it.  Some- 
how— I  may  tell  you  more  accurately  at  another  period,  if 
we  ever  meet — I  got  myself  into  disgrace,  and,  as  a  pun- 
ishment, was  ordered  to  absent  myself  from  the  Tuileries, 
and  retire,  for  some  weeks,  to  Fontainebleau.  Siberia,  to  a 
Russian,  would  scarcely  be  a  heavier  infliction  than  was 
this  banishment  to  me.  There  was  no  court,  no  levee,  no 
military  parade,  no  ball,  no  opera.  A  small  household  of 
the  Emperor's  chosen  servants  quietly  kept  house  there. 
The  gloomy  walls  re-echoed  to  no  music  ;  the  dark  alleys 
of  the  dreary  garden  seemed  the  very  impersonation  of 
solitude  and  decay.  Nothing  broke  the  dull  monotony  of 
the  tiresome  day,  except  when  occasionally,  near  sunset, 
the  clash  of  the  guard  would  be  heard  turning  out,  and 
the  clank  of  presenting  arms,  followed  by  the  roll  of  a 
heavy  carriage  into  the  gloomy  court  yard.  One  lamp, 
shining  like  a  star,  in  a  small  chamber  on  the  second  floor, 
would  remain  till  near  four,  sometimes  five  o'clock  in  the 
morning.  The  same  sounds  of  the  guard  and  the  same 
dull  roll  of  the  carriage  would  break  the  stillness  of  the 
early  morning  ;  and  the  Emperor — for  it  was  he — would 
be  on  his  road  back  to  Paris. 

"  We  never  saw  him — I  say  we,  for  like  myself,  some 
half-dozen  others  were  also  there,  expiating  their  follies  by 
a  life  of  cheerless  ennui. 

"  It  was  upon  a  calm  evening  in  April,  we  sat  together 
chatting  over  the  various  misdeeds  which  had  consigned 
us  to  exile,  when  some  one  proposed,  by  way  of  passing 
the  time,  that  we  should  visit  the  small  flower-garden  that 
was  parted  from  off  the  rest,  and  reserved  for  the  Em- 
peror alone.  It  was  already  beyond  the  hour  he  usually 
came;  besides  that,  even  should  he  arrive,  there  was 


THE    WATOH-PTRE.  879 

abundant  time  to  get  back  before  he  could  possibly  reach 
it.  The  garden  we  had  often  seen,  but  there  was  some- 
thing in  the  fact  that  our  going  there  was  a  transgression 
that  so  pleased  us  all,  that  we  agreed  at  once,  and  set 
forth.  For  above  an  hour  we  loitered  about  the  lonely 
and  deserted  walks,  where  already  the  Emperor's  foot- 
tracks  had  worn  a  marked  pathway,  when  we  grew  weary, 
and  were  about  to  return,  just  as  one  of  the  party  sug- 
gested, half  in  ridicule  of  the  sanctity  of  the  spot,  that 
we  should  have  a  game  of  leap-frog  ere  we  left  it.  The 
idea  pleased  us,  and  was  at  once  adopted.  Our  plan  was 
this :  each  person  stationed  himself  in  some  bye-walk  or 
alley,  and  waited  till  the  other,  whose  turn  it  was,  came 
and  leaped  over  him ;  so  that,  besides  the  activity  dis- 
played, there  was  a  knowledge  of  the  locale  necessary; 
for,  to  any  one  passed  over,  a  forfeit  was  to  be  paid.  Our 
game  began  at  once,  and  certainly  I  doubt  if  ever  those 
green  alleys  and  shady  groves  rang  to  such  hearty  laughter. 
Here  would  be  seen  a  couple  rolling  over  together  on  the 
grass ;  there  some  luckless  wight  counting  out  his  pocket- 
money,  to  pay  his  penalty.  The  hours  passed  quietly  over, 
and  the  moon  rose,  and  at  last  it  came  to  my  turn  to  make 
the  tour  of  the  garden.  As  I  was  supposed  to  know  all 
its  intricacies  better  than  the  rest,  a  longer  time  was  given 
for  them  to  conceal  themselves ;  at  length  the  word  was 
given,  and  I  started. 

"  Anxious  to  acquit  myself  well,  I  hurried  along  at  top 
speed,  but  guess  my  surprise  to  discover  that  nowhere 
could  I  find  one  of  my  companions  ;  down  one  walk  I 
scampered,  up  another,  across  a  third,  but  all  was  still  and 
silent ;  not  a  sound,  not  a  breath,  could  I  detect.  There 
was  still  one  part  of  the  garden  unexplored ;  it  was  a 
small  open  space  before  a  little  pond,  which  usually  con- 
tained the  gold  fish  the  Emperor  was  so  fond  of.  Thither 
I  bent  my  steps,  and  had  not  gone  far  when,  in  the  pale 
moonlight,  I  saw,  at  length,  one  of  my  companions  waiting 
patiently  for  my  coming,  his  head  bent  forward  and  his 
shoulders  rounded.  Anxious  to  repay  him  for  my  own 
disappointment,  I  crept  silently  forward  on  tiptoe  till  quite 
near  him,  when,  rushing  madly  on,  I  sprang  upon  his  back ; 
iust,  however,  as  I  rose  to  leap  over,  he  raised  his  head, 
And,  staggered  by  the  impulse  of  my  spring,  he  was  thrown 


880  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

forward,  and,  after  an  ineffectual  effort  to  keep  his  legs, 
fell  flat  upon  his  face  in  the  grass.  Bursting  with  laughter, 
I  fell  over  him  on  the  ground,  and  was  turning  to  assist 
him,  when  suddenly  he  sprang  upon  his  feet,  and — horror 
of  horrors  ! — it  was  Napoleon  himself  ;  his  usually  pale 
features  were  purple  with  rage,  but  not  a  word,  not  a 
syllable  escaped  him. 

"  '  Qui  ttes-vous  f  '  said  he,  at  length. 

" '  St.  Croix,  sire,'  said  1 ,  still  kneeling  before  him, 
while  my  very  heart  leaped  into  my  mouth. 

"'St.  Croix!  touj&ws  St.  Croix!  Come  here;  approach 
me,'  cried  he,  in  a  voice  of  stifled  passion. 

"I  rose;  but  before  I  could  take  a  step  forward  he 
sprang  at  me,  and,  tearing  off  my  epaulettes,  trampled 
them  beneath  his  feet,  and  then  he  shouted  out,  rather  than 
spoke,  the  word  'Allez ! ' 

"  I  did  not  wait  for  a  second  intimation,  but  clearing  the 
paling  at  a  spring,  was  many  a  mile  from  Fontainebleaa 
before  daybreak." 


881 


CHAPTER  LL 

THE    MARCH. 

TWICE  the  r&veil  sounded  ;  the  horses  champed  impatiently 
their  heavy  bits ;  my  men  stood  waiting  for  the  order  to 
mount,  ere  I  could  arouse  myself  from  the  deep  sleep  I  had 
fallen  into.  The  young  Frenchman  and  his  story  were  in 
my  dreams,  and,  when  I  awoke,  his  figure,  as  he  lay  sleep- 
ing beside  the  wood  embers,  was  the  first  object  I  perceived. 
There  he  lay,  to  all  seeming  as  forgetful  of  his  fate  as 
though  he  still  inhabited  the  gorgeous  halls  and  gilded 
saloons  of  the  Tuileries ;  his  pale  and  handsome  features 
wore  even  a  placid  smile  as,  doubtless,  some  dream  of  other 
days  flitted  across  him  ;  his  long  hair  waved  in  luxurious 
curls  upon  his  neck,  and  his  light  brown  moustache, 
slightly  curled  at  the  top,  gave  to  his  mild  and  youthful 
features  an  air  of  saucy  Jiertt  that  heightened  their  effect. 
A  narrow  blue  riband,  which  he  wore  round  his  throat, 
gently  peeped  from  his  open  bosom.  I  could  not  resist  the 
curiosity  1  felt  to  see  what  it  meant,  and,  drawing  it  softly 
forth,  I  perceived  that  a  small  miniature  was  attached  to 
it.  It  was  beautifully  painted,  and  surrounded  with 
brilliants  of  some  value.  One  glance  showed  me — for  I 
had  seen  more  than  one  engraving  before  of  her — that  it 
was  the  portrait  of  the  Empress  Josephine.  Poor  boy  J  he 
doubtless  was  a  favourite  at  court ;  indeed,  everything  in 
his  air  and  manner  bespoke  him  such.  I  gently  replaced 
the  precious  locket,  and  turned  from  the  spot,  to  think  over 
what  was  best  to  be  done  for  him.  Knowing  the  vindic- 
tive feeling  of  the  Portuguese  towards  their  invaders,  I 
feared  to  take  Pietro,  our  guide,  into  my  confidence.  I 
accordingly  summoned  my  man  Mike  to  my  aid,  who,  with 
all  his  country's  readiness,  soon  found  out  an  expedient. 
It  was  to  pretend  to  Pietro  that  the  prisoner  was  merely 
an  English  officer,  who  had  made  his  escape  from  the 


882  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

French  army,  in  which,  against  his  will,  he  had  been 
serving  for  some  time. 

This  plan  succeeded  perfectly ;  and,  when  St.  Croix, 
mounted  upon  one  of  my  led  horses,  set  out  upon  his 
march  beside  me,  none  was  more  profuse  of  his  attentions 
than  the  dark-brown  guide,  whose  hatred  of  a  Frenchman 
was  beyond  belief. 

By  thus  giving  him  safe-conduct  through  Portugal,  I 
knew  that  when  we  reached  the  frontier  he  could  easily 
manage  to  come  up  with  some  part  of  Marshal  Victor's 
force,  the  advanced  guard  of  which  lay  on  the  left  bank  of 
the  Tagus. 

To  me  the  companionship  was  the  greatest  boon  ;  the 
gay  and  buoyant  spirit  that  no  reverse  of  fortune,  no  unto- 
ward event,  could  subdue,  lightened  many  an  hour  of  the 
journey;  and  though,  at  times,  the  gasconading  tone  of 
the  Frenchman  would  peep  through,  there  was  still  such  a 
fund  of  good-tempered  raillery  in  all  he  said,  that  it  was 
impossible  to  feel  angry  with  him.  His  implicit  faith  in 
the  Emperor's  invincibility  also  amused  me.  Of  the  un- 
bounded confidence  of  the  nation  in  general,  and  the  army 
particularly,  in  Napoleon,  I  had  till  then  no  conception. 
It  was  not  that  in  the  profound  skill  and  immense  resources 
of  the  general  they  trusted,  but  they  actually  regarded 
him  as  one  placed  above  all  the  common  accidents  of 
fortune,  and  revered  him  as  something  more  than  human. 

"//  viendra,  et  puts "  was  the  continued  exclamation 

of  the  young  Frenchman.  Any  notion  of  our  successfully 
resisting  the  overwhelming  might  of  the  Emperor,  he 
would  have  laughed  to  scorn,  and  so  I  let  him  go  on 
prophesying  o'ir  future  misfortunes  till  the  time  when, 
driven  back  upon  Lisbon,  we  should  be  compelled  to 
evacuate  the  Peninsula,  and,  under  favour  of  a  convention, 
be  permitted  to  return  to  England.  All  this  was  suffi- 
ciently ridiculous,  coming  from  a  youth  of  nineteen, 
wounded,  in  misery,  a  prisoner;  but  further  experience  of 
his  nation  has  shown  me,  that  St.  Croix  was  not  the 
exception,  but  the  rule.  The  conviction  in  the  ultimate 
success  of  their  army,  whatever  be  the  merely  momentary 
mishap,  is  the  one  present  thought  of  a  Frenchman ;  a 
victory  with  them  is  a  conquest ;  a  defeat — if  they  are  by 
any  chance  driven  to  acknowledge  one — &fatalite. 


THE    MARCH.  888 

I  was  too  young  a  man,  and,  still  more,  too  young  a 
soldier,  to  bear  with  this  absurd  affectation  of  superiority 
as  I  ought,  and  consequently  was  glad  to  wander,  when- 
ever I  could,  from  the  contested  point  of  our  national 
superiority  to  other  topics.  St.  Croix,  although  young, 
had  seen  much  of  the  world,  as  a  page  in  the  splendid 
court  of  the  Tuileries ;  the  scenes  passing  before  his  eyes 
were  calculated  to  make  a  strong  impression ;  and  by 
many  an  anecdote  of  his  former  life,  he  lightened  the  road 
as  we  passed  along. 

"  You  promised,  by  the  bye,  to  tell  me  of  your  banish- 
ment. How  did  that  occur,  St.  Croix?  " 

"  Ah  !  par  Dleu  I  that  was  an  unfortunate  affair  for  me : 
then  began  all  my  mishaps ;  but  for  that  I  should  never 
have  been  sent  to  Fontainebleau  ;  never  have  played  leap- 
frog with  the  Emperor ;  never  have  been  sent  a  soldier 
into  Spain.  True,"  said  he,  laughing,  "  I  should  never 
have  had  the  happiness  of  your  acquaintance.  But  still, 
I'd  much  rather  have  met  yon  first  in  the  Places  des 
Victoires  than  in  the  Estrella  Mountains." 

"  Who  knows  ?  "  said  I ;  "  perhaps  your  good  genius 
prevailed  in  all  this  ?  " 

"Perhaps,"  said  he,  interrupting  me;  "that's  exactly 
what  the  Empress  said — she  was  my  godmother — '  Jules 
will  be  a  Marechal  de  France  yet.'  But,  certainly,  it  must 
be  confessed,  I  have  made  a  bad  beginning.  However, 

g)u  wish  to  hear  of  my  disgrace  at  court.     Allans,  done. 
ut  had  we  not  better  wait  for  a  halt?  " 
"Agreed,"  said  I ;  "  and  so  let  us  now  press  turward." 


884  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 


CHAPTER    LIL 

THE    PA01. 

the  deep  shade  of  some  tall  trees,  sheltered  from 
the  noonday  sun,  we  lay  down  to  rest  ourselves,  and  enjoy 
a  most  patriarchal  dinner — some  dry  biscuits,  a  few  bunches 
of  grapes,  and  a  little  weak  wine,  savouring  more  of  the 
boraccio-skin  than  the  vine-juice,  were  all  we  boasted ;  yet 
they  were  not  ungrateful  at  such  a  time  and  place. 

"  Whose  health  did  you  pledge,  then  ?  "  inquired  St. 
Croix,  with  a  half-malicious  smile,  as  I  raised  the  glass 
silently  to  my  lips. 

I  blushed  deeply  and  looked  confused. 

"  A  ses  beaux  yeux  I  whoever  she  be,"  said  he,  gaily 
tossing  off  his  wine,  "  and  now,  if  you  feel  disposed,  I'll 
tell  you  my  story.  In  good  truth,  it  is  not  worth  relating, 
but  it  may  serve  to  set  you  asleep,  at  all  events. 

"  I  have  already  told  you  I  was  a  page.  Alas  !  the 
impressions  you  may  feel  of  that  functionary,  from  having 
seen  Cherubino,  give  but  a  faint  notion  of  him  when 
pertaining  to  the  household  of  the  Emperor  Napoleon. 

"  The  farfallone  amoroso  basked  in  the  soft  smiles  and 
sunny  looks  of  the  Countess  Alma  viva ;  we  met  but  thb 
cold,  impassive  look  of  Talleyrand — the  piercing  and  pene- 
trating stare  of  Savary — or  the  ambiguous  smile,  half 
menace,  half  mockery,  of  Monsieur  Fouche.  While  on 
service,  our  days  were  passed  in  the  ante-chamber,  beside 
the  salle  (Faudience  of  the  Emperor — reclining  against  the 
closed  door,  watching  attentively  for  the  gentle  tinkle  of 
the  little  bell  which  summoned  us  tu  open  for  the  exit  of 
some  haughty  diplomate,  or  the  entree  of  some  redoubted 
general.  Thus  passed  we  the  weary  hours  ;  the  illustriouf 
visitors  by  whom  we  were  surrounded  had  no  novelty, 
consequently  no  attraction  for  us,  and  the  names  already 
\dstorical  were  but  household  words  with  us. 

**  We  often  remarked,  too,  the  proud  and  distant  bearing 


THE   PAOK.  885 

the  Emperor  assumed  towards  those  of  his  generals  who 
had  been  his  former  companions  in  arms.  Whatever  famili- 
arity or  freedom  may  have  existed  in  the  campaign  or  in 
the  battle-field,  the  air  of  the  Tuileries  certainly  chilled  it. 
I  have  often  heard  that  the  ceremonious  observances  and 
rigid  etiquette  of  the  old  Bourbon  court  were  far  preferable 
to  the  stern  reserve  and  unbending  stiffness  of  the  Imperial 
one. 

"  The  ante-chamber  is  but  the  reflection  of  the  reception- 
room  ;  and,  whatever  be  the  whims,  the  caprices,  the 
littleness  of  the  Great  Man,  they  are  speedily  assumed  by 
his  inferiors,  and  the  dark  temper  of  one  casts  a  lowering 
shadow  on  every  menial  by  whom  he  is  surr.  unded. 

"  As  for  us,  we  were  certainly  not  long  in  catching  some- 
what of  the  spirit  of  the  Emperor ;  and  I  doubt  much  if 
the  impertinence  of  the  waiting-room  was  not  more  dreaded 
and  detested  than  the  abrupt  speech  and  searching  look  of 
Napoleon  himself. 

"  What  a  malicious  pleasure  have  I  not  felt  in  arresting 
the  step  of  M.  de  Talleyrand,  as  he  approached  the  Em- 
peror's closet!  with  what  easy  insolence  have  I  lisped  out, 
'  Pardon,  monsieur,  but  his  Majesty  cannot  receive  you* — 
or,  'Monsieur  le  Due,  his  Majesty  has  given  no  orders  for 
your  admission.' — How  amusing  it  was  to  watch  the  baffled 
look  of  each,  as  he  retired  once  more  to  his  place  among 
the  crowd  ;  the  wily  diplomate  covering  his  chagrin  with 
a  practiced  smile,  while  the  stern  marshal  would  blush  to 
his  very  eyes  with  indignation.  This  was  the  great  plea- 
sure our  position  afforded  us  ;  and,  with  a  boyish  spirit  of 
mischief,  we  cultivated  it  to  perfection,  and  became  at  last 
the  very  horror  and  detestation  of  all  who  frequented  the 
levees  ;  and  the  ambassador,  whose  fearless  voice  was  heard 
among  the  councils  of  kings,  became  soft  and  conciliating 
in  his  approaches  to  us ;  and  the  hardy  general,  who  would 
have  charged  upon  a  brigade  of  artillery,  was  timid  as  a 
girl  in  addressing  us  a  mere  question 

u  Among  the  amiable  class  thus  characterized  I  was  most 
conspicuous,  preserving  cautiously  a  tone  of  civility  that 
left  nothing  openly  to  complain  of.  I  assumed  an  indiffe- 
rence and  impartiality  of  manner  that  no  exigency  of 
affairs,  no  pressing  haste,  could  discompose  or  disturb ; 
and  my  bow  of  recognition  to  Sou  It  or  Masse  na  was  aa 


886  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

coolly  measured,  as  my  monosyllabic  answer  was  accurately 
conned  over. 

"  Upon  ordinary  occasions,  the  Emperor,  at  the  close  of 
each  person's  audience,  rang  his  little  bell  for  the  admis- 
sion of  the  next  in  order  as  they  arrived  in  the  waiting- 
room  ;  yet,  when  anything  important  was  under  conside- 
ration, a  list  was  given  us  in  Oe  morning  of  the  names  to 
be  presented  in  rotation,  which  no  casual  circumstance  was 
ever  suffered  to  interfere  with. 

"  It  is  now  about  four  months  since,  one  fine  morning, 
such  a  list  was  placed  within  my  hands.  His  Majesty  was 
just  then  occupied  with  an  inquiry  into  the  naval  force  of 
the  kingdom ;  and,  as  I  cast  my  eyes  carelessly  over  the 
names,  I  read  little  else  than  Vice-Admiral  so-and-so,  Com- 
mander such-a-one,  and  Chef  d'Escadron  such  another,  and 
the  levee  presented  accordingly,  instead  of  its  usual  bril- 
liant array  of  gorgeous  uniform  and  aiguiletted  marshals, 
the  simple  blue-and-gold  of  the  naval  service. 

"  The  marine  was  not  in  high  favour  with  the  Emperor, 
and  truly,  my  reception  of  these  unfrequent  visitors  was 
anything  but  flattering.  The  early  part  of  the  morning 
was,  as  usual,  occupied  by  the  audience  of  the  Minister  of 
Police  and  the  Due  de  Bassano,  who,  evidently,  from  the 
length  of  time  they  remained,  had  matter  of  importance  to 
communicate.  Meanwhile,  the  ante-chamber  filled  rapidly, 
and,  before  noon,  was  actually  crowded.  It  was  just  at 
this  moment  that  the  folding-door  slowly  opened,  and  a 
figure  entered,  such  as  I  had  never  before  seen  in  our  bril- 
liant saloon :  he  was  a  man  of  five  or  six-and-fifty,  short, 
thickset,  and  strongly  built,  with  a  bronzed  and  weather- 
beaten  face,  and  a  broad  open  forehead,  deeply  scarred 
with  a  sabre-cut;  a  shaggy  grey  moustache  curled  over 
and  concealed  his  mouth,  while  eyebrows  of  the  same 
colour  shaded  his  dark  and  piercing  eyes.  His  dress  was 
a  coarse  coat  of  blue  cloth,  such  as  the  fishermen  wear  in 
Bretagne,  fastened  at  the  waist  by  a  broad  belt  of  black 
leather,  from  which  hung  a  short  broad-bladed  cutlass  ; 
his  loose  trousers,  of  the  same  material,  were  turned  up  at 
the  ankles,  to  show  a  pair  of  strong  legs  coarsely  cased  in 
blue  stockings  and  thick-soled  shoes — a  broad- leaved  oil- 
skin hat  was  held  in  one  hand,  and  the  other  stuck  care- 
lessly in  his  pocket,  as  he  entered ;  he  came  in  with  a  care- 


THE   PAGE  887 

less  air,  and,  familiarly  saluting  one  or  two  officers  in  the 
room,  lie  sat  himself  down  near  the  door,  appearing  lost  in 
his  own  reflections. 

"  '  Who  can  you  be,  my  worthy  friend  ? "  was  my 
question  to  myself,  as  I  surveyed  this  singular  apparition. 
At  the  same  time,  casting  my  eyes  down  the  list,  I  per- 
ceived that  several  pilots  of  the  coast  of  Havre,  Calais, 
and  Boulogne  had  been  summoned  to  Paris,  to  givvi  some 
information  upon  the  soundings  and  depth  of  water  along 
the  shore. 

"  '  Ha,'  thought  I,  'I  have  it— the  good  man  has  mis- 
taken his  place,  and  instead  of  remaining  without,  has 
walked  boldly  forward  to  the  ante-chamber.'  There  was 
something  so  strange  and  so  original  in  the  grim  look  of 
the  old  fellow,  as  he  sat  there  alone,  that  I  suffered  him 
to  remain  quietly  in  his  delusion,  rather  than  order  him 
back  to  the  waiting-room  without ;  besides  I  perceived 
that  a  kind  of  sensation  was  created  among  the  others 
by  his  appearance  there,  which  amused  me  greatly. 

"  As  the  day  wore  on,  the  officers  formed  into  little 
groups  of  three  or  four,  chatting  together  in  an  under- 
tone of  voice ;  all,  save  the  old  pilot ;  he  had  taken  a 
huge  tobacco-box  from  his  capacious  breast-pocket,  and 
inserting  an  immense  piece  of  the  bitter  weed  in  his 
mouth,  began  to  chew  it  as  leisurely  as  though  he  were 
walking  the  quarter-deck.  The  cool  insouciance  of  such 
a  proceeding  amused  me  much,  and  I  resolved  to  draw 
him  out  a  little. 

"His  strong,  broad  Breton  features,  his  deep  voice,  bis 
dry,  blunt  manner,  were  all  in  admirable  keeping  with  his 
exterior,  and  amused  me  highly. 

" '  Par  Dieu !  my  lad,'  said  he,  after  chatting  some 
time,  'had  you  not  better  tell  the  Emperor  that  I  am 
waiting  ? — It's  now  past  noon,  and  I  must  eat  some- 
thing.' 

" '  Have  a  little  patience,'  said  I ;  '  his  Majesty  is  going 
to  invite  you  to  dinner.' 

"  '  Be  it  so,'  said  he,  gravely ;  '  provided  the  hour  be  an 
early  one,  I'm  his  man.' 

"  With  difficulty  did  I  keep  down  my  laughter  as  he 
said  this,  and  continued, — 

" '  So  you  know  the  Emperor  already,  it  seems  ?  * 


888  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

" '  Yes,  that  I  do !  I  remember  him  when  he  was  no 
higher  than  yourself.' 

"  *  How  delighted  he'll  be  to  find  you  here — I  hope  you 
have  brought  up  some  of  your  family  with  you,  as  the 
Emperor  would  be  so  flattered  by  it  ?  ' 

"  '  No,  I've  left  them  at  home  ;  this  place  don't  suit  us 
over  well.  We  have  plenty  to  do,  besides  spending  our 
time  and  money  among  all  you  fine  folks  here.' 

"  '  And  not  a  bad  life  of  it,  either,'  added  I,  '  fishing 
for  cod  and  herrings  —  stripping  a  wreck  now  and 
then.' 

"  He  stared  at  me,  as  I  said  this,  like  a  tiger  on  the 
spring,  but  spoke  not  a  word. 

"  '  And  how  many  young  sea-wolves  may  you  have  in 
your  den  at  home  ? ' 

'  Six ;  and  all  o'them  able  to  carry  you  with  one  hand, 
at  arm's  length  !  ' 

" '  I  have  no  doubt ;  I  shall  certainly  not  test  their 
ability.  But  you  yourself,  how  do  you  like  the  capital  ?  ' 

"  '  Not  over  well,  and  I'll  tell  you  why ' 

"  As  he  said  this,  the  door  of  the  audience- chamber 
opened,  and  the  Emperor  appeared.  His  eyes  flashed  fire, 
as  he  looked  hurriedly  around  the  room. 

" '  Who  is  in  waiting  here  ?  ' 

'"I  am,  please  your  Majesty,'  said  I,  bowing  deeply,  as 
I  started  from  my  seat. 

"  '  And  where  is  the  Admiral  Truguet  ?  Why  was  he 
not  admitted  ? ' 

"'Not  present,  your  Majesty,'  said  I,  trembling  with 
fear. 

" '  Hold  there,  young  fellow.    Not  so  fast ;  here  he  is.' 

"  '  Ah,  Trugnet,  mon  ami  /'  cried  the  Emperor,  placing 
both  hands  on  the  old  fellow's  shoulders  ;  '  how  long  have 
yon  been  in  waiting?' 

"  '  Two  hours  and  a  half,'  said  he  ;  producing  in  evidence 
a  watch  like  a  saucer. 

"  *  What !  two  hours  and  a  half,  and  I  not  know  it  ?  ' 

'  *'  No  matter ;  I  am  always  happy  to  serve  your  Majesty. 
But  if  that  fine  fellow  had  not  told  me  that  you  were  going 
to  ask  me  to  dinner — 

"  *  He  !  he  said  so,  did  he  ?  '  said  Napoleon,  turning  on 
me  a  glance  like  a  wild  beast.  *  Yes,  Truguet,  so  I  am  , 


THE   PAGE.  889 

you  shall  dine  with  me  to-day.  And  you,  sir,'  said  he, 
dropping  his  voice  to  a  whisper,  as  he  came  closer  towards 
me,  'and  you  have  dared  to  speak  thus  r*  Call  in  a  guard 
there  ;  Capitaine,  put  this  person  under  arrest ;  he  is  dis- 
graced ;  he  is  no  longer  page  of  the  palace.  Out  of  my 
presence !  away,  sir  ! ' 

"  The  room  wheeled  round  ;  my  legs  tottered,  my  senses 
reeled  ;  and  I  saw  no  more. 

"  Three  weeks'  bread  and  water  in  St.  Pelagic,  however, 
brought  me  to  my  recollection  ;  and  at  last  my  kind,  my 
more  than  kind  friend,  the  Empress,  obtained  my  pardon 
and  sent  me  to  Fontainebleau,  till  the  Emperor  should 
forget  all  about  it.  How  I  contrived  again  to  refresh  his 
memory  I  have  already  told  you ;  and  certainly  you  will 
acknowledge  that  I  have  not  been  fortunate  in  my  inter- 
views with  Napoleon." 

I  am  conscious  how  much  St.  Croix's  story  loses  in  my 
telling.  The  simple  expressions,  the  grace  of  the  narrative, 
were  its  charm  ;  and  these,  alas !  I  can  neither  translate 
nor  imitate,  no  more  than  I  can  convey  the  strange  mix- 
ture of  deep  feeling  and  levity,  shrewdness  and  simplicity, 
that  constituted  the  manner  of  the  narrator. 

With  many  a  story  of  his  courtly  career  he  amused  me 
as  we  trotted  along ;  when,  towards  nightfall  of  the  third 
day,  a  peasant  informed  us  that  a  body  of  French  cavalry 
occupied  the  convent  of  San  Cristoval,  about  three  leagues 
off.  The  opportunity  of  his  return  to  his  own  army 
pleased  him  far  less  than  I  expected;  he  heard,  without 
any  show  of  satisfaction,  that  the  time  of  his  liberation 
had  arrived,  and  when  the  moment  of  leave-taking  drew 
near,  he  became  deeply  affected. 

"  Eh  bien,  Charles,"  said  he,  smiling  sadly  through  hia 
dimmed  and  tearful  eyes.  "  You've  been  a  kind  friend  to 
me.  Is  the  time  never  to  come  when  I  can  repay  yo-j  ?  " 

"  Yes,  yes ;  we'll  meet  again,  be  assured  of  it.  Mean- 
while, there  is  one  way  you  can  more  than  repay  anything 
I  have  done  for  you." 

"  Oh !  name  it  at  once." 

"  Many  a  brave  fellow  of  ours  is  now,  and,  doubtless, 
many  more  will  be,  prisoners  with  your  army  in  this  war. 
Whenever,  therefore,  your  lot  brings  you  in  contact  witb 
such " 


890  CHARLES  O'MALLBY. 

"  They  shall  be  my  brothers,"  said  he,  springing  towards 
me,  and  throwing  his  arms  round  my  neck.  "Adieu, 
adieu !  "  With  that  he  rushed  from  the  spot,  and,  before 
I  could  speak  again,  was  mounted  upon  the  peasant's  horse, 
and  waving  his  hand  to  me  in  farewell. 

I  looked  after  him  as  he  rode  at  a  fast  gallop  down  the 
slope  of  the  green  mountain,  the  noise  of  the  horse's  feet 
echoing  along  the  silent  plain.  I  turned  at  length  to  leave 
the  spot,  and  then  perceived,  for  the  first  tinu,  that,  when 
taking  his  farewell  of  me,  he  had  hung  arouuJ  my  neck 
his  minature  of  the  Empress.  Poor  boy !  how  sorrowful  I 
felt  thus  to  rob  him  of  what  he  held  so  dear !  How  gladly 
would  I  have  overtaken  him  to  restore  it !  It  was  the 
only  keepsake  he  possessed;  and,  knowing  that  I  would 
not  accept  it,  if  offered,  he  took  this  way  of  compelling 
me  to  keep  it. 

Through  the  long  hours  of  the  summer's  night  I  thought 
of  him ;  and,  when  at  last  I  slept,  towards  morning,  my 
first  thought  on  waking  was  of  the  solitary  day  before  me. 
The  miles  no  longer  slipped  imperceptibly  along ;  no 
longer  did  the  noon  and  night  seem  fast  to  follow.  Alas ! 
that  one  should  grow  old  !  The  very  sorrows  of  our  early 
years  have  something  soft  and  touching  in  them.  Arising 
less  from  deep  wrong  than  slight  mischances,  the  grief 
they  cause  comes  ever  with  an  alloy  of  pleasant  thoughts, 
telling  of  the  tender  past ;  and,  'mid  the  tears  called  up, 
forming  some  bright  rainbow  of  future  hope. 

Poor  St.  Croix  had  already  won  greatly  upon  me ;  and 
I  felt  lonely  and  desolate  when  he  departed. 


891 


CHAPTER  Lin. 

ALTA8. 

NOTHING  of  incident  marked  our  further  progress  towardi 
the  frontier  of  Spain,  and  at  length  we  reached  the  small 
town  of  Alvas.  It  was  past  sunset  as  we  arrived,  and, 
instead  of  the  usual  quiet  and  repose  of  a  little  village,  we 
found  the  streets  crowded  with  people,  on  horseback  and 
on  foot;  mules,  bullocks,  carts,  and  waggons  blocked  up 
the  way,  and  the  oaths  of  the  drivers  and  the  screaming 
of  women  and  children  resounded  on  all  sides. 

With  what  little  Spanish  I  possessed,  I  questioned  some 
of  those  near  me,  and  learned,  in  reply,  that  a  dreadful 
engagement  had  taken  place  that  day  between  the  advanced 
guard  of  the  French,  under  Victor,  and  the  Lusitanian 
legion  ;  that  the  Portuguese  troops  had  been  beaten  and 
completely  routed,  losing  all  their  artillery  and  baggage ; 
that  the  French  were  rapidly  advancing,  and  expected 
hourly  to  arrive  at  Alvas,  in  consequence  of  which  the 
terror-stricken  inhabitants  were  packing  up  their  posses- 
sions and  hurrying  away. 

Here,  then,  was  a  point  of  considerable  difficulty  for  me 
at  once.  My  instructions  had  never  provided  for  such  a 
conjuncture,  and  I  was  totally  unable  to  determine  what 
was  best  to  be  done ;  both  my  men  and  then*  horses  were 
completely  tired  by  a  march  of  fourteen  leagues,  and  had 
a  pressing  need  of  some  rest;  on  every  side  of  me  the 
preparations  for  flight  were  proceeding  with  all  the  speed 
that  fear  inspires ;  and  to  my  urgent  request  for  some  in- 
formation as  to  food  and  shelter,  I  could  obtain  no  other 
reply  than  muttered  menaces  of  the  fate  before  me  if  I 
remained,  and  exaggerated  accounts  of  French  cruelty. 

Amid  all  this  bustle  and  confusion,  a  tremendous  fall  of 
heavy  rain  set  in,  which  at  once  determined  me,  come 
what  might,  to  house  my  party,  and  provide  forage  for  our 
horses. 


892  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

As  we  pushed  our  way  slowly  through  the  encumbered 
streets,  looking  on  every  side  for  some  appearance  of  a 
village  inn,  a  tremendous  shout  rose  in  our  rear,  and  a 
rush  of  the  people  towards  us  induced  us  to  suppose  that 
the  French  were  upon  us.  For  some  minutes  the  din  and 
uproar  were  terrific — the  clatter  of  horses'  feet,  the  braying 
of  trumpets,  the  yelling  of  the  mob,  all  mingling  in  one 
frightful  concert. 

I  formed  my  men  in  close  column,  and  waited  ste«idily 
for  the  attack,  resolving,  if  possible,  to  charge  through  the 
advancing  files;  any  retreat  through  the  crowded  and 
blocked-up  thoroughfares  being  totally  out  of  the  ques- 
tion. The  rain  was  falling  in  such  torrents  that  nothing 
could  be  seen  a  few  yards  off,  when  suddenly  a  pause  ot 
a  few  seconds  occurred,  and,  from  the  clash  of  accoutre- 
ments and  the  hoarse  tones  of  a  loud  voice,  I  judged  that 
the  body  of  men  before  us  were  forming  for  attack. 

Resolving,  therefore,  to  take  them  by  surprise,  I  gave 
the  word  to  charge,  and,  spurring  our  jaded  cattle,  onward 
we  dashed.  The  mob  fled  right  and  left  from  us  as  we 
came  on  ;  and  through  the  dense  mist  we  could  just  per- 
ceive a  body  of  cavalry  before  us. 

In  an  instant  we  were  among  them  ;  down  they  went  on 
every  side,  men  and  horses  rolling  pell-mell  over  each  other 
—  not  a  blow,  not  a  shot  striking  us  as  we  pressed  on. 
Never  did  I  witness  such  total  consternation  ;  some  threw 
themselves  from  their  horses,  and  fled  towards  the  houses  ; 
others  turned  and  tried  to  fall  back,  but  the  increasing 
pressure  from  behind  held  them,  and  finally  succeeded  in 
blocking  us  up  amongst  them. 

It  was  just  at  this  critical  moment  that  a  sudden  gleam 
of  light  from  a  window  fell  upon  the  disordered  mass,  and 
to  my  astonishment — I  need  not  say,  to  my  delight — I  per- 
ceived that  they  were  Portuguese  troops.  Before  I  had 
well  time  to  halt  my  party,  my  convictions  were  pretty 
well  strengthened  by  hearing  a  well-known  voice  in  the  rear 
of  the  mass  call  out  :— - 

"  Charge,  ye  devils  !  charge,  will  ye  ?  illustrious  Hidal- 
gos !  cut  them  down  ;  los  infidelos,  sacrificados  los — scatter 
them  like  chaff!" 

One  roar  of  laughter  was  my  only  answer  to  this  ener- 
getic appeal  for  my  destruction,  and  the  moment  after,  the 


ALVAS.  393 

dry  features  and  pi  asant  face  of  old  Monsoon  beamed  on 
ine  by  the  light  of  a  pine-torch  he  carried  in  his  right  hand 

"  Are  they  prisoners  ? — have  they  surrendered  ?  "  in- 
quired he,  riding  up.  "  It  is  well  for  them ;  we'd  have 
made  mincemeat  of  them  otherwise ;  now  they  shall  be 
•well  treated,  and  ransomed  if  they  prefer." 

"  Gracias  excellence  f"  said  I,  in  a  feigned  voice. 

*'  Give  up  your  sword,"  said  the  Major,  in  an  undertone. 
"  You  behaved  gallantly,  but  you  fought  against  invinci- 
bles.  Lord  love  them !  but  they  are  the  most  terrified 
inviucibles." 

I  nearly  burst  aloud  at  this. 

"  It  was  a  close  thing  which  of  us  ran  first,"  muttered 
the  Major,  as  he  turned  to  give  some  directions  to  an  aide- 
de-camp.  "Ask  them  who  they  are,"  raid  he,  in  Spanish. 

By  this  time  I  came  close  alongside  of  him,  and  placing 
my  mouth  close  to  his  ear,  holloed  out, — 

"  Monsoon,  old  fellow,  how  goes  the  King  of  Spain's 
sherry  ?  " 

"  Eh  ! — what — why — upon  my  life,  and  so  it  is — Charley, 
my  boy,  so  it's  you,  is  it — egad,  how  good  ;  and  we  were 
BO  near  being  the  death  of  you  J  My  poor  fellow,  how 
came  you  here  ?  " 

A  few  words  of  explanation  sufficed  to  inform  the  Major 
why  we  were  there,  and  still  more  to  comfort  him  with 
the  assurance  that  he  had  not  been  charging  the  General's 
staff',  and  the  Commander-in-Chief  himself. 

"  Upon  my  life,  you  gave  me  a  great  start ;  though,  as 
long  as  I  thought  you  were  French,  it  was  very  well." 

"  True,  Major,  but  certainly  the  invincibles  were  mer- 
ciful as  they  were  strong." 

"  They  were  tired,  Charley,  nothing  more ;  why,  lad, 
we've  been  fighting  since  daybreak — beat  Victor  at  six 
o'clock — drove  him  back  behind  the  Tagus — took  a  cold 
dinner,  and  had  at  him  again  in  the  afternoon.  Lord  love 
you  !  we've  immortalized  ourselves  ;  but  you  must  never 
speak  of  this  little  business  here ;  it  tells  devilish  ill  for 
the  discipline  of  your  fellows,  upon  my  life  it  does." 

This  was  rather  an  original  turn  to  give  the  transaction., 
but  I  did  not  oppose ;  and  thus  chatting,  we  entered  the 
little  inn,  where,  confidence  once  restored,  some  sem- 
blance of  comfort  already  appeared. 


B94  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

"  And  BO  you're  come  to  reinforce  ns  ?"  said  Monsoon ; 
"  there  was  never  anything  more  opportune ;  thongh  we 
surprised  ourselves  to-day  with  valour,  I  don't  think  we 
could  persevere." 

"  Yes,  Major,  the  appointment  gave  me  sincere  pleasure ; 
I  greatly  desired  to  see  a  little  service  under  your  orders. 
Shall  I  present  you  with  my  despatches  ?" 

"  Not  now,  Charley — not  now,  my  lad.  Sapper  is  the 
first  thing  at  this  noment ;  besides,  now  that  you  remind 
me,  I  must  send  off  a  despatch  myself.  Upon  my  life,  it's 
a  great  piece  of  fortune  that  you're  here ;  you  shall  be 
Secretary  at  War,  and  write  it  for  me;  here  now — how 
lucky  that  I  thought  of  it,  to  be  sure !  and  it  was  just  a 

mere  chance ;  one  has  so  many  things "     Mattering 

such  broken,  disjointed  sentences,  the  Major  opened  a 
large  portfolio  with  writing  materials,  which  he  displayed 
before  me  as  he  rubbed  his  hands  with  satisfaction,  and 
said,  "  Write  away,  lad." 

11  But,  my  dear  Major,  you  forget ;  I  was  not  in  the 
action  You  must  describe  ;  I  can  only  follow  you." 

"  Begin  then  thus : — 

"  '  Head-Quarters,  Alvas,  June  26. 

"*YouR  EXCELLENCY, 

" '  Having  learned  from  Don  Alphonzo  Xaviero  da 
Minto,  an  officer  upon  my  personal  staff  * 

"  Luckily  sober  at  that  moment 

" '  That  the  advanced  guard  of  the  eighth  corps  of  the 
French  army ' 

"  Stay,  though,  was  it  the  eighth  ? — Upon  my  life,  I'm 
not  quite  clear  as  to  that ;  blot  the  word  a  little  and  go 
on 

"  '  That  the  corps,  under  Marshal  Victor,  had 

commenced  a  forward  movement  towards  Alcantara,  I 
immediately  ordered  a  flank  movement  of  the  light  in- 
fantry regiment  to  cover  the  bridge  over  the  Tagus.  After 
breakfast ' ' 

"  I'm  afraid,  Major,  that  is  not  precise  enough." 

"Well,  'About  eleven  o'clock,  the  French  skirmishers 
attacked,  and  drove  in  our  pickets  that  were  posted  in 
front  of  our  position,  and  following  rapidly  up  with  cavalry, 
they  took  a  few  prisoners,  and  killed  old  Alphonzo ;  he 
ran  like  a  man,  they  say,  but  they  caught  him  in  the  rear/ 


ALVA8.  895 

"  You  needn't  put  that  in,  if  you  don't  like. 

" '  I  now  directed  a  charge  of  the  cavalry  brigade  under 
Don  Asturias  Y'Hajos,  that  cut  them  up  in  fine  style.  Our 
artillery,  posted  on  the  heights,  mowing  away  at  their 
columns  like  fun. 

" '  Victor  didn't  like  this,  and  got  into  a  wood,  when  we 
all  went  to  dinner:  it  was  about  two  o'clock  then. 

"  '  After  dinner,  the  Portuguese  light  corps,  under  Silva 
da  Onorha,  having  made  an  attack  upon  the  enemy's  left, 
without  my  orders,  got  devilishly  well  trounced,  and  served 
them  right ;  but,  coming  up  to  their  assistance,  with  the 
heavy  brigade  of  guns,  and  the  cavalry,  we  drove  back  the 
French,  and  took  several  prisoners,  none  of  whom  we  put 
to  death.' 

"  Dash  that — Sir  Arthur  likes  respect  for  the  usages  of 
war.— Lord,  how  dry  I'm  getting! 

" '  The  French  were  soon  seen  to  retire  their  heavy 
guns,  and  speedily  afterwards  retreated.  We  pursued 
them  for  some  time,  but  they  showed  fight ;  and,  as  it 
was  getting  dark,  I  drew  off  my  forces,  and  came  here  to 
supper.  Your  Excellency  will  perceive,  by  the  enclosed 
return,  that  our  loss  has  been  considerable. 

'"I  send  this  despatch  by  Don  Emmanuel  Forgales, 
whose  services ' 

"  I  back  him  for  mutton  hash  with  onions  against  the 
whole  regiment . 

" '  Have  been  of  the  most  distinguished  nature,  and  beg 
to  recommend  him  to  your  Excellency's  favour. 

"  '  I  have  the  honour,  Ac.' 

"  Is  it  finished,  Charley  ?  Egad,  I'm  glad  of  it,  for  here 
comes  supper." 

The  door  opened  as  he  spoke,  and  displaying  a  tempt- 
ing tray  of  smoking  viands,  tlanked  by  several  bottles — an 
officer  of  the  Major's  staff  accompanied  it,  and  showed,  by 
his  attentions  to  the  etiquette  of  the  table,  and  the  proper 
arrangement  of  the  meal,  that  his  functions  in  his  superior's 
household  were  more  than  military. 

We  were  speedily  joined  by  two  others  in  rich  uniform, 
whose  names  I  now  forget,  but  to  whom  the  Major  pre- 
sented me  in  all  form ;  introducing  me,  as  well  as  I  could 
interpret  his  Spanish,  as  his  most  illustrious  ally  and  Mend 
Don  Carlos  O'Malley. 

Vol.  30— (14) 


396  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 


CHAPTEE,  LIV. 

THE   SUPPER. 

I  HAVE  often  partaken  of  more  luxurious  cookery  and  rarer 
wines  ;  but  never  do  I  remember  enjoying  a  more  welcome 
supper  than  on  this  occasion. 

Our  Portuguese  guests  left  us  soon,  and  the  Major  and 
myself  were  once  more  tete-a-tete  beside  a  cheerful  fire ;  a 
well-chosen  array  of  bottles  guaranteeing  that  for  some 
time  at  least,  no  necessity  of  leave-taking  should  arise 
from  any  deficiency  of  wine. 

"  That  sherry  is  very  near  the  thing,  Charley  ;  a  little, 
a  very  little  sharp,  but  the  after-taste  perfect :  and  now, 
my  boy,  how  have  you  been  doing  since  we  parted  ?  " 

"  Not  so  badly,  Major.  I  have  already  got  a  step  in 
promotion.  The  affair  at  the  Douro  gave  me  a  lieu- 
tenancy." 

"  I  wish  you  joy  with  all  my  heart.  I'll  call  you  Captain 
always  while  you're  with  me.  Upon  my  life  I  will.  Why, 
man,  they  style  me  your  Excellency  here.  Bless  your 
heart!  we  are  great  folk  among  the  Portuguese,  and  no 
bad  service  after  all." 

"  I  should  think  not,  Major.  You  seem  to  have  always 
made  a  good  thing  of  it." 

"  No,  Charley  ;  no,  my  boy.  They  overlook  us  greatly 
in  general  orders  and  despatches.  Had  the  brilliant  action 
of  to-day  been  fought  by  the  British — but  no  matter ;  they 
may  behave  well  in  England,  after  all ;  and,  when  I'm  called 

to  the  Upper  House  as  Baron  Monsoon  of  the  Tagus ia 

that  better  than  Lord  Alcantara  ?  " 

"  I  prefer  the  latter." 

"Well,  then,  I'll  have  it.  Lord!  what  &  treaty  I'll 
move  for  with  Portugal,  to  let  us  have  wine  cheap.  Wine, 
you  know,  as  David  says,  gives  us  a  pleasant  countenance  ; 
and  oil,  I  forget  what  oil  does, — pass  over  the  decanter. 
And  how  ia  Sir  Arthur,  Charley  ?  A  fine  fellow,  but  sadly 


THE    SUPPER.  897 

deficient  in  the  knowledge  of  supplies. — Never  would  have 
made  any  character  in  the  commissariat. — Bless  your 
heart,  he  pays  for  everything  here,  as  if  he  were  in  Cheap- 
side." 

"  How  absurd,  to  be  sure ! " 

"  Isn't  it,  though  ?  That  was  not  my  way,  when  I  was 
commissary-general  about  a  year  or  two  ago.  To  be  sure, 
how  I  did  puzzle  them  !  They  tried  to  audit  my  accounts ; 
and  what  do  you  think  I  did  ?  I  brought  them  in  three 
thousand  pounds  in  my  debt.  They  never  tried  on  that 
game  any  more.  '  No  !  no  !  '  said  the  Junta  ;  '  Beresford 
and  Monsoon  are  great  men,  and  must  be  treated  with 
respect.'  Do  you  think  we'd  let  them  search  our  pockets  ? 
But  the  rogues  doubled  on  us,  after  all ;  they  sent  us  to 
the  northward, — a  poor  country " 

"  So  that,  except  a  little  common-place  pillage  of  the 
convents  and  nunneries,  you  had  little  or  nothing  ?  " 

"  Exactly  so  ;  and  then  I  got  a  great  shock  about  that 
time,  that  affected  my  spirits  for  a  considerable  while." 

"  Indeed,  Major  !  some  illness  ?" 

"  No,  I  was  quite  well ;  but — Lord  !  how  thirsty  it 
makes  me  to  think  of  it !  my  throat  is  absolutely  parched, 
• — I  was  near  being  hanged !  " 

"  Hanged !  " 

"  Yes.  Upon  my  life  it's  true — very  horrible,  ain't  it  ? 
It  had  a  great  effect  upon  my  nervous  system  ;  and  they 
never  thought  of  any  little  pension  to  me,  as  a  recompense 
for  my  sufferings." 

"  And  who  was  barbarous  enough  to  think  of  such  a 
thing,  Major  ?  " 

"  Sir  Arthur  Wellesley  himself;  none  other,  Charley." 

"  Oh,  it  was  a  mistake,  Major,  or  a  joke." 

"  It  was  devilish  near  being  a  practical  one,  though. 
I'll  tell  you  how  it  occurred.  After  the  battlo  of  Vimeira, 
the  brigade  to  which  I  was  attached  had  their  hea'  (-quarters 
at  San  Pietro,  a  largo  convent  where  all  the  church  plate 
for  miles  around  was  stored  up  for  safety.  A  sergeant's 
guard  was  accordingly  stationed  over  the  refectory,  and 
every  precaution  taken  to  prevent  pillage,  Sir  Arthur 
himself  having  given  particular  orders  on  the  subject. 
Well,  somehow, — I  never  could  find  out  how, — but,  in 
leaving  the  place,  all  the  waggons  of  our  brigade  had  got 


898  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

some  trifling  articles  of  small  value  scattered,  as  it  might 
be,  among  their  stores — gold  cups,  silver  candlesticks, 
Virgin  Marys,  ivory  crucifixes,  saints'  eyes  set  in  topazes, 
and  martyrs  toes  in  silver  filagree,  and  a  hundred  other 
similar  things. 

"  One  of  these  confounded  bullock-cars  broke  down 
just  at  the  angle  of  the  road  where  the  Commander-in- 
Chief  was  standing  with  his  staff  to  watch  the  troops 
defile,  and  ont  rolled,  among  bread  rations  and  salt  beef,  a 
whole  avalanche  of  precious  relics  and  church  ornaments. 
Every  one  stood  aghast !  Never  was  there  such  a  mis- 
fortune. No  one  endeavoured  to  repair  the  mishap,  but 
all  looked  on  in  terrified  amazement  as  to  what  was  to 
follow. 

"'Who  has  command  of  this  detachment?'  shouted 
ont  Sir  Arthur,  in  a  voice  that  made  more  than  one  of  us 
tremble. 

" '  Monsoon,  your  Excellency — Major  Monsoon,  of  the 
Portuguese  brigade.' 

" '  The  d — d  old  rogue ! — I  know  him.'  Upon  my  life 
that's  what  he  said.  '  Hang  him  up  on  the  spot,'  point- 
ing with  his  finger  as  he  spoke  ;  '  we  shall  see  if  this 
practice  cannot  be  put  a  stop  to.'  And  with  these  words 
he  rode  leisurely  away,  as  if  he  had  been  merely  ordering 
dinner  for  a  small  party. 

"  When  I  came  up  to  the  place,  the  halberts  were  fixed, 
and  Gxonow,  with  a  company  of  the  Fusiliers,  under  arms 
beside  them. 

"  Devilish  sorry  for  it,  Major,'  said  he.  '  It's  con- 
foundedly unpleasant,  but  can't  be  helped.  We've  got 
orders  to  see  you  hanged ! ' 

"  Faith  it  was  just  so  he  said  it,  tapping  his  snuff-box 
as  he  spoke,  and  looking  carelessly  about  him.  Now  had 
it  not  been  for  the  fixed  halberts  and  the  Provost-Marshal, 
I'd  not  have  believed  him  ;  but  one  glance  at  them,  and 
another  at  the  bullock-cart  with  all  the  holy  images,  told 
me  at  once  what  had  happened. 

"  '  He  only  means  to  frighten  me  a  little  ?  Isn't  that  all, 
Gronow  ?  '  cried  I,  in  a  supplicating  voice. 

"  *  Very  possibly,  Major,'  said  he ;  '  but  I  must  execute 
my  orders.' 

"'You'll   surely  not '      Before  I  could  finish,  up 


THE    8T3PPEB.  899 

came  Dan  Mackinnon,  cantering  smartly.  '  Going  to  hang 
old  Monsoon,  eh,  Gronow  ?  What  fun ! ' 

"'Ain't  it,  though!"  said  I,  half  blubbering. 

" '  Well,  if  you're  a  good  Catholic,  yon  may  have  your 
choice  of  a  saint,  for,  by  Jupiter  !  there's  a  strong  muster 
of  them  here.'  This  cruel  allusion  was  made  in  reference 
to  the  gold  and  silver  effigies  that  lay  scattered  about  the 
highway. 

"  '  Dan,'  said  I,  in  a  whisper,  '  intercede  for  me — do, 
like  a  good,  kind  fellow.  You  have  influence  with  Sir 
Arthur. 

"  '  Yon  old  sinner,'  said  he,  '  it's  useless.' 

"  '  Dan,  I'll  forgive  you  the  fifteen  pounds.' 

•* '  That  you  owe  me,'  said  Dan,  laughing. 

M< Who'll  ever  be  the  father  to  you  I  have  been? 
Who'll  mix  your  punch  with  burnt  Madeira,  when  I'm 
gone  ?  '  said  I. 

"  '  Well,  really,  I  am  sorry  for  you,  Monsoon.  I  say, 
Gronow,  don't  tuck  him  up  for  a  few  minutes;  I'll  speak 
for  the  old  villain,  and,  if  I  succeed,  I'll  wave  my  handker- 
chief.' 

"  Well,  away  went  Dan  at  a  full  gallop.  Gronow  sat 
down  on  a  bank,  and  I  fidgeted  about  in  no  very  enviable 
frame  of  mind,  the  confounded  Provost-Marshal  eyeing 
me  all  the  while. 

"  *  I  can  only  give  you  five  minutes  more,  Major,'  said 
Gronow,  placing  his  watch  beside  him  on  the  grass.  I 
tried  to  pray  a  little,  and  said  three  or  four  of  Solomon's 
proverbs,  when  he  again  called  out, — '  There,  you  see  it 
won't  do!  Sir  Arthur  is  shaking  his  head.' 

"  '  What's  that  waving  yonder  ?  ' 

" '  The  colours  of  the  6th  Foot. — Come,  Major,  off  with 
your  stock.' 

"  '  Where  is  Dan  now — what  is  he  doing  ?  ' — for  I  could 
lee  nothing  myself. 

"  *  He's  riding  beside  Sir  Arthur.  They  all  seem  laugh- 
ing.' 

"  '  God  forgive  them !  what  an  awful  retrospect  this  will 
prove  to  some  of  them.' 

"  '  Time's  up  ! '  said  Gronow,  jumping  up  and  replacing 
his  watch  in  his  pocket. 

" '  Provost-Marshal,  be  quick  now ' 


400  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

"  *  Eh !  what's  that  ? — there,  I  see  it  waving ! — there's  a 
shout,  too !" 

" '  Ay,  by  Jove !  so  it  is ;  well,  you're  saved  this  time, 
Major — that's  the  signal.' 

"  So  saying,  Gronow  formed  his  fellows  in  line  and 
resumed  his  march  quite  coolly,  leaving  me  alone  on  the 
roadside  to  meditate  over  martial  law  and  my  pernicious 
taste  for  relics. 

"  Well,  Charley,  this  gave  me  a  great  shock,  and  I 
think,  too,  it  must  have  had  a  great  effect  upon  Sir  Arthur 
himself;  but,  upon  my  life,  he  has  wonderful  nerves.  I 
met  him  one  day  afterwards  at  dinner  in  Lisbon  ;  he  looked 
at  me  very  hard  for  a  few  seconds — '  Eh,  Monsoon !  Major 
Monsoon,  I  think  ?  " 

"'Yes,  your  Excellency,' said  I,  briefly;  thinking  how 
painful  it  must  be  for  him  to  meet  me. 

" '  Thought  I  had  hanged  you — know  I  intended  it — no 
matter — a  glass  of  wine  with  you  ?  " 

"  Upon  my  life,  that  was  all ;  how  easily  some  people 
can  forgive  themselves !  But,  Charley,  my  hearty,  we  are 
getting  on  slowly  with  the  tipple  ;  are  they  all  empty  ?  so 
they  are !  let  us  make  a  sortie  on  the  cellar ;  bring  a  candle 
with  you,  and  come  along." 

We  had  scarcely  proceeded  a  few  steps  from  the  door, 
when  a  most  vociferous  sound  of  mirth,  arising  from  a 
neighbouring  apartment,  arrested  our  progress. 

"  Are  the  Dons  so  convivial,  Major?  "  said  I,  as  a  hearty 
burst  of  laughter  broke  forth  at  the  moment. 

"  Upon  my  life,  they  surprise  me  ;  I  begin  to  fear  they 
have  taken  some  of  our  wine." 

We  now  perceived  that  the  sounds  of  merriment  came 
from  the  kitchen,  which  opened  upon  a  little  court-yard. 
Into  this  we  crept  stealthily,  aud  approaching  noise- 
lessly to  the  window,  obtained  a  peep  at  the  scene 
within. 

Around  a  blazing  fire,  over  which  hung  by  a  chain  a 
massive  iron  pot,  sat  a  goodly  party  of  some  half-dozen 
people.  One  group  lay  in  dark  shadow,  but  the  others 
were  brilliantly  lighted  up  by  the  cheerful  blaze,  and 
showed  us  a  portly  Dominican  friar,  with  a  beard  down  to 
his  waist ;  a  buxom,  dark-eyed  girl  of  some  eighteen 
years ;  and  between  the  two,  most  comfortably  leaning 


THE    SUPPEB.  401 

back,  with  an  arm  round  each,  no  less  a  person  than  my 
trusty  man,  Mickey  Free. 

It  was  evident  from  the  alternate  motion  of  his  head, 
that  his  attentions  were  evenly  divided  between  the  church 
and  the  fair  sex — although,  to  confess  the  truth  they 
seemed  much  more  favourably  received  by  the  latter  than 
the  former — a  brown  earthen  flagon  appearing  to  absorb 
all  the  worthy  monk's  thoughts  that  he  could  spare  from 
the  contemplation  of  heavenly  objects. 

"Mary,  my  darlin',  don't  be  looking  at  me  that  way, 
through  the  corner  of  your  eye ; — I  know  you're  fond  of 
me — but  the  girls  always  was.  Yon  think  I'm  joking,  but 
troth  I  wouldn't  say  a  lie  before  the  holy  man  beside  me  ; 
sure  I  wouldn't,  father  ?  " 

The  friar  grunted  out  something  in  reply,  not  very 
unlike,  in  sound  at  least,  a  hearty  anathema. 

"  Ah,  then,  isn't  it  yourself  has  the  illigaut  time  of  it, 
father  dear !  "  said  he  tapping  him  familiarly  upon  his 
ample  paunch,  "  and  nothing  to  trouble  you ;  the  best  of 
divarsion  wherever  you  go,  and  whether  its  Badahos  or 
Ballykilruddery,  it's  all  one ;  the  women  is  fond  of  ye. 
Father  Murphy,  the  coadjutor  in  Scariff,  was  jnst  such 
another  as  yourself,  and  he'd  coax  the  birds  off  the  trees 
with  the  tongue  of  him.  Give  us  a  pull  at  the  pipkin 
before  it's  all  gone,  and  I'll  give  you  a  chant." 

With  this  he  seized  the  jar,  and  drained  it  to  the  bottom  ; 
the  smack  of  his  lips  as  he  concluded,  and  the  disappointed 
look  of  the  friar,  as  he  peered  into  the  vessel,  throwing 
the  others,  once  more,  into  a  loud  burst  of  laughter. 

"  And  now,  your  rev'rance,  a  good  chorus  is  all  I'll  ask, 
and  you'll  not  refuse  it  for  the  honour  of  the  church." 

So  saying,  he  turned  a  look  of  most  droll  expression 
npon  the  monk,  and  began  the  following  ditty  to  the 
air  of 

"St.  Patrick  wot  a  Gentleman." 

"  What  an  illigant  life  a  friar  leads, 

With  a  fat  round  paunch  before  him  ; 
He  mutters  a  prayer  and  counts  bis  beads, 

And  all  the  women  adore  him. 
It's  little  he's  troubled  to  work  or  think, 

Wherever  devotion  leads  him  : 
A  '  pater '  pays  for  his  dinner  and  drink, 

For  the  church  —good  luck  to  her ! — feeds  him. 


402  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

"  From  the  cow  in  tl.o  field  to  the  pig  in  the  rty, 

From  the  maid  to  the  lady  in  satin, 
They  tremble,  wherever  he  turns  an  eye ; 

He  can  talk  of  the  devil  in  Latin  ! 
He's  mighty  severe  to  the  ugly  and  ould, 

And  curses  like  mad  when  he's  near  'em  ; 
Bat  one  beautiful  trait  of  him  I've  been  tould, 

The  innocent  craytures  don't  fear  him. 

"  It's  little  for  spirits  or  ghosts  he  cares  ; 

For  'tis  true  as  the  world  supposes, 
With  an  are  he'd  make  them  march  downstairs, 

AT  they  dared  to  show  their  noses. 
The  devil  himself  s  afraid,  'tis  said, 

And  dares  not  to  deride  him : 
For  '  angels  make  each  night  his  bed, 

And  then lie  down  beside  him.'  * 

A  perfect  burst  of  laughter  from  Monsoon  prevented  my 
hearing  how  Mike's  minstrelsy  succeeded  within  doors ; 
but,  when  I  looked  again,  I  found  that  the  friar  had  de- 
camped, leaving  the  field  open  to  his  rival — a  circumstance, 
I  could  plainly  perceive,  not  disliked  by  either  party. 

"  Come  back,  Charley — that  villain  of  yours  has  given 
me  the  cramp,  standing  here  on  the  cold  pavement.  We'll 
have  a  little  warm  posset — very  small  and  thin,  as  they 
say  in  '  Tom  Jones ' — and  then  to  bed." 

Notwithstanding  the  abstemious  intentions  of  the  Major, 
it  was  daybreak  ere  we  separated,  and  neither  party  in  a 
condition  for  performing  upon  the  tight-rope. 


403 


CHAPTER  LV. 

THK   LEQIOW. 

MT  services,  while  with  the  Legion,  were  of  no  very  dis- 
tinguished character,  and  require  no  lengthened  chronicle. 
Their  great  feat  of  arms,  the  repulse  of  an  advanced  guard 
of  Victor's  corps,  had  taken  place  the  very  morning  I  had 
joined  them,  and  the  ensuing  month  was  passed  in  soft  re- 
pose upon  their  laurels. 

For  the  first  few  days,  indeed,  a  multiplicity  of  cares 
beset  the  worthy  Major.  There  was  a  despatch  to  be 
written  to  Beresford — another  to  the  Supreme  Junta — a 
letter  to  Wilson,  at  that  time  with  a  corps  of  observation 
to  the  eastward.  There  were  some  wounded  to  be  looked 
after — a  speech  to  be  made  to  the  conquering  heroes  them- 
selves— and,  lastly,  a  few  prisoners  were  taken,  whose  fate 
seemed  certainly  to  partake  of  the  most  uncertain  of  war's 
proverbial  chances. 

The  despatches  gave  little  trouble:  with  some  very 
slight  alterations,  the  great  original,  already  sent  forward 
to  Sir  Arthur,  served  as  a  basis  for  the  rest.  The  wounded 
were  forwarded  to  Alcantara,  with  a  medical  staff;  to 
whom  Monsoon,  at  parting,  pleasantly  hinted,  that  he  ex- 
pected to  see  all  the  sick  at  their  duty  by  an  early  day,  or 
he  would  be  compelled  to  report  the  doctors.  The  speech, 
which  was  intended  as  a  kind  of  general  order,  he  deferred 
for  some  favourable  afternoon,  when  he  could  get  up  his 
Portuguese ;  and,  lastly,  came  the  prisoners,  by  far  the 
most  difficult  of  all  his  cares.  As  for  the  few  common 
soldiers  taken,  they  gave  him  little  uneasiness ;  as  Sir  John 
has  it,  they  were  "  mortal  men,  and  food  for  powder; "  but 
there  was  a  staff-officer  among  them,  aiguilletted  and 
epauletted.  The  very  decorations  he  wore  were  no  common 
temptation.  Now  the  Major  deliberated  a  long  time  with 
himself,  whether  the  usages  of  modern  war  might  not 
admit  of  the  ancient,  time-honoured  practice  of  ransom. 


404  CHARLES  O'MALLET. 

the  battle,  save  in  glory,  had  been  singularly  unproductive 
— plunder  there  was  none — the  few  ammunition- waggons 
and  gun-carriages  were  worth  little  or  nothing ;  so  that, 
save  the  prisoners,  nothing  remained.  It  was  late  in  the 
evening — the  mellow  hour  of  the  Major's  meditations — 
when  he  ventured  to  open  his  heart  to  me  upon  the 
matter. 

"  I  was  just  thinking,  Charley,  how  very  superior  they 
were,  in  olden  time  to  us  moderns,  in  many  matters,  and 
nothing  more  than  in  their  treatment  of  prisoners.  They 
never  look  them  away  from  their  friends  and  country; 
they  always  ransomed  them — if  they  had  wherewithal  to 
pay  their  way.  So  good-natured — upon  my  life  it  was  a 
most  excellent  custom.  They  took  any  little  valuables  they 
found  about  them,  and  then  put  them  up  at  auction. 
Moses  and  Eleazar,  a  priest,  we  are  told,  took  every  piece 
of  gold,  and  their  wrought  jewels — meaning  their  watches 
and  earrings.  You  needn't  laugh,  they  all  wore  earrings, 
those  fellows  did.  Now,  why  shouldn't  I  profit  by  their 
good  example?  I  have  taken  Agag  the  King  of  the 
Amalekites — no,  but,  upon  my  life,  I  have  get  a  French 
Major,  and  I'd  let  him  go  for  fifty  doubloons." 

It  was  not  without  much  laughing  and  some  eloquence 
that  I  could  persuade  Monsoon  that  Sir  Arthur's  military 
notions  might  not  accept  of  even  the  authority  of  Moses  ; 
and,  as  our  head-quarters  were  at  no  great  distance,  the 
danger  of  such  a  step  as  he  meditated  was  too  considerable 
at  such  a  moment. 

As  for  ourselves,  no  fatiguing  drills,  no  harassing  field- 
days,  and  no  provoking  inspections  interfered  with  the 
easy  current  of  our  lives.  Foraging  parties  there  were  it 
is  true,  and  some  occasional  outpost  duty  was  performed  ; 
but  the  officers  for  both  were  selected  with  a  tact  that 
proved  the  Major's  appreciation  of  character  ,  for  while 
the  gay  joyous  fellow  that  sung  a  jovial  song  and  loved 
his  liquor  was  certain  of  being  entertained  at  head-quarters, 
the  less  gifted  and  less  congenial  spirit  had  the  happiness 
of  scouripcr  the  country  for  forage,  aud  presenting  him- 
self as  a  target  to  a  French  rifle. 

My  own  endeavours  to  fulfil  my  instructions  met  with 
but  little  encouragement  or  support ;  and,  although  I 
laboured  hard  at  my  task,  I  must  confess  that  the  soil  was 


THE   LEGION.  405 

a  most  ungrateful  one.  The  cavalry  were,  it  is  true,  com- 
posed mostly  of  young  fellows  well  appointed,  and  in 
most  cases  well  mounted ;  but  a  more  disorderly,  careless, 
undisciplined  set  of  good- humoured  fellows  never  formed 
a  corps  in  the  world. 

Monsoon's  opinions  were  felt  in  every  branch  of  the 
service,  from  the  adjutant  to  the  drumboy — the  same 
reckless,  indolent,  plunder-loving  spirit  prevailed  every- 
where.  And  although,  under  fire,  they  showed  no  lack  of 
gallantry  or  courage,  the  moment  of  danger  passed,  disci- 
pline departed  with  it,  and  their  only  conception  of  benefit- 
ing by  a  victory  consisted  in  the  amount  of  pillage  that 
resulted  from  it. 

From  time  to  time  the  rumours  of  great  events  reached 
us.  We  heard  that  Soult,  having  succeeded  in  reorganizing 
his  beaten  army,  was,  in  conjunction  with  Ney's  corps, 
returning  from  the  North  ;  that  the  Marshals  were  con- 
solidating their  forces  in  the  neigh bonrnood  of  Talavera, 
and  that  King  Joseph  himself,  at  the  head  of  a  large 
army,  had  marched  for  Madrid. 

Menacing  as  such  an  aspect  of  affairs  was,  it  had  little 
disturbed  the  Major's  equanimity  ;  and  when  our  advanced 
posts  reported  daily  the  intelligence  that  the  French  were 
in  retreat,  he  cared  little  with  what  object  of  concen- 
trating they  retired,  provided  the  interval  between  us  grew 
gradually  wider.  His  speculations  upon  the  future  were 
singularly  prophetic.  "You'll  see,  Charley,  what  will 
happen ;  old  Cuesta  will  pursue  them,  and  get  thrashed. 
The  English  will  come  up,  and,  perhaps  get  thrashed  too  ; 
but  we — God  bless  us ! — are  only  a  small  force,  partially 
organized  and  ill  to  depend  on ;  we'll  go  up  the  mountains 
till  all  is  over !  "  Thus  did  the  Major's  discretion  not 
only  extend  to  the  avoidance  of  danger,  but  he  actually 
disqualified  himself  from  even  making  its  acquaintance. 

Meanwhile,  our  operations  consisted  in  making  easy 
marches  to  Almarez,  halting  wherever  the  commissariat 
reported  a  well-stocked  cellar  or  well-furnished  hen-roost; 
taking  the  primrose  path  in  life,  and  being,  in  the  words 
of  the  Major,  "contented  and  grateful,  even  amid  great 
perils ! H 


406  CHARLES  O'MALLEI. 


CHAPTER  LVL 

THE    DEPARTURE. 

On  the  morning  of  the  10th  July,  a  despatch  reached  ns 
announcing  that  Sir  Arthur  Wellesley  had  taken  up  his 
head-quarfers  at  Placentia,  for  the  purpose  of  communi- 
cating with  Cuesta,  then  at  Casa  del  Puerto,  and  ordering 
me  immediately  to  repair  to  the  Spanish  head-quarters,  and 
await  Sir  Arthur's  arrival,  to  make  my  report  upon  the 
effective  state  of  our  corps.  As  for  me,  I  was  heartily 
tired  of  the  inaction  of  my  present  life,  and,  much  as  I 
relished  the  eccentricities  of  my  friend  the  Major,  longed 
ardently  for  a  different  sphere  of  action. 

Not  so  Monsoon;  the  prospect  of  active  employment, 
and  the  thoughts  of  being  left  once  more  alone — for  his 
Portuguese  staff  afforded  him  little  society — depressed  him 
greatly,  and,  as  the  hour  of  my  departure  drew  near  he 
appeared  lower  in  spirits  than  I  had  ever  seen  him. 

"  I  shall  be  very  lonely  without  you,  Charley,"  said  he, 
with  a  sigh,  as  we  sat  the  last  evening  together  beside  our 
cheerful  wood  fire.  "I  have  little  intercourse  with  the 
Dons ;  for  my  Portuguese  is  none  of  the  best,  and  only 
comes  when  the  evening  is  far  advanced ;  and,  besides,  the 
villains,  I  fear,  may  remember  the  sherry  affair.  Two  of 
my  present  staff  were  with  me  then." 

"  Is  that  the  story  Power  so  often  alluded  to,  Major,  the 

King  of  Spain's ?" 

"  There,  Charley,  hush — be  cautious,  my  boy.   I'd  rather 
not  speak  about  that  till  we  get  amongst  our  own  fellows." 
"  Just  as  yon  like,  Major ;  but,  do  yon  know,  I  have  a 
strong  curiosity  to  hear  the  narrative." 

"  If  I'm  not  mistaken,  there  is  some  one  listening  at  the 
door — gently — that's  it,  eh  ?" 

"  No,  we  are  perfectly  alone ;  the  night's  early — who 
knows  when  we  shall  have  as  quiet  an  hour  again  together  ? 
Let  me  hear  it,  by  all  means." 

"Well,  I  don't  care;  the  thing,  Heaven  knows  1  ia 


THE    DEPARTURE.  407 

tolerably  well  known  ;  so,  if  you'll  amuse  yourself  making 
a  devil  of  the  turkey's  legs  there,  I'll  tell  you  the  story. 
It's  very  short,  Charley,  and  there's  no  moral ;  so  you're 
not  likely  to  repeat  it." 

So  saying,  the  Major  filled  up  his  glass,  drew  a  little 
closer  to  the  fire,  and  began : — 

"  When  the  French  troops  under  Laborde  were  march- 
ing upon  Alcobaca,  in  concert  with  Loison's  corps,  I  was 
ordered  to  convey  a  very  valuable  present  of  sherry  the 
Due  d' Albuquerque  was  making  to  the  Supreme  Junta — 
no  less  than  ten  hogsheads  of  the  best  sherry  the  royal 
cellars  of  Madrid  had  formerly  contained. 

"  It  was  stored  in  the  San  Vincente  convent ;  and  the 
Junta,  knowing  a  little  about  monkish  tastes  and  the  wants 
of  the  church,  prudently  thought  it  would  be  quite  as  well 
at  Lisbon.  I  was  accordingly  ordered  with  a  sufficient 
force  to  provide  for  its  safe-conduct  and  secure  arrival,  and 
set  out  upon  my  march  one  lovely  morning  in  April  with 
my  precious  convoy. 

''  I  don't  know,  I  never  could  understand,  why  tempta- 
tions are  thrown  in  our  way  in  this  life,  except  for  the 
pleasure  of  yielding  to  them.  As  for  me,  I'm  a  stoic  when 
there's  nothing  to  be  had ;  but,  let  me  get  a  scent  of  a 
well-kept  haunch,  the  odour  of  a  wine-bin  once  in  my  nose, 
I  forget  everything  except  appropriation.  —  That  bone 
smells  delk-ioasly,  Charley;  a  little  garlic  would  improve 
it  vastly. 

"  Our  road  lay  through  cross  paths  and  mountain  tracts 
— for  the  French  wen  scouring  the  country  on  every  side 
— and  my  fellows,  only  twenty  altogether,  trembled  at  the 
very  name  of  them  ;  so  that  our  only  chance  was  to  avoid 
falling  in  with  any  forage  parties.  We  journeyed  along 
for  several  days,  rarely  making  more  than  a  few  leagues 
between  sunrise  and  sunset,  a  scout  always  in  advance  to 
assure  us  that  all  was  safe.  The  road  was  a  lonesome  one, 
and  the  way  weary — for  I  had  no  one  to  speak  to  or  con- 
verse with — so  I  fell  into  a  kind  of  musing  fit  about  the 
old  wine  in  the  great  brown  casks.  I  thought  on  its 
luscious  flavour,  its  rich  straw  tint,  its  oily  look  as  it 
flowed  into  the  glass,  the  mellow  after-taste,  warming  the 
heart  as  it  went  down,  and  I  absolutely  thought  I  could 
smell  it  through  the  wood. 


408  CHARLES  O'MALLBT. 

"  How  I  longed  to  broach  one  of  them,  if  it  were  only 
to  see  if  my  dreams  about  it  were  correct.  '  Maybe  it's 
brown  sherry,'  thought  I,  '  and  I  am  all  wrong.'  Thia 
was  a  very  distressing  reflection.  I  mentioned  it  to  the 
Portuguese  liitendaut,  who  travelled  with  us  as  a  kind  of 
supercargo ;  but  the  villain  only  grinned,  and  said  some- 
thing about  the  Junta  and  the  galleys  for  life ;  so  1  did  not 
recur  to  it  afterwards.  Well,  it  was  upon  the  third  even- 
ing of  our  march  that  the  scout  reported  that  at  Merida, 
about  a  league  distant,  he  had  fallen  in  with  an  English 
cavalry  regiment,  who  were  on  their  march  to  the  northern 
provinces,  and  remaining  that  night  in  the  village.  As 
soon,  therefore,  as  I  had  made  all  my  arrangements  for  the 
night,  I  took  a  fresh  horse,  and  cantered  over  to  have  a 
look  at  my  countrymen,  and  hear  the  news.  When  I 
arrived  it  was  dark  night ;  but  I  was  not  long  in  finding 
out  our  fellows.  They  were  the  llth  Light  Dragoons, 
commanded  by  my  old  friend  Bowes,  and  with  as  jolly  a 
mess  as  any  in  the  service. 

"  Before  half  an  hour's  time  I  was  in  the  midst  of  them, 
hearing  all  about  the  campaign,  and  telling  them  in  return 
about  my  convoy — dilating  upon  the  qualities  of  the  wine, 
as  if  I  had  been  drinking  it  every  day  at  dinner. 

"  We  had  a  very  mellow  night  of  it,  and  before  four 
o'clock  the  senior  major  and  four  captains  were  under  the 
table,  and  all  the  subs,  in  a  state  unprovided  for  by  the 
articles  of  war.  So  I  thought  I'd  be  going,  and,  wishing 
the  sober  ones  a  good-by,  set  out  on  my  road  to  join  my 
own  party. 

"  I  had  not  gone  above  a  hundred  yards  when  I  heard 
some  one  running  after,  and  calling  out  my  name. 

" '  I  say,  Monsoon  ;  Major,  confound  you,  pull  up.' 

"  '  Well,  what's  the  matter  ?  has  any  more  lush  turned 
np  ? '  i»qnired  I  for  we  had  drank  the  tap  dry  when  I 
left. 

" '  Not  a  drop,  old  fellow  ! '  said  he  ;  '  but  I  was  thinking 
of  what  you've  been  saying  about  that  sherry.' 

"'Well!  what  then?' 

" '  Why,  I  want  to  know  how  we  could  get  a  taste  of  it  ? ' 

" '  You'd  better  get  elected  one  of  the  Cortes,'  said  I, 
laughing ;  '  for  it  does  not  seem  likely  you'll  do  so  in  any 
other  way.' 


THE    DEPARTURE.  409 

" '  I'm  not  so  sure  of  that,'  said  he,  smiling.  '  What 
road  do  you  travel  to-morrow  ?  ' 

"  '  By  Cavalhos  and  Eeina.' 

" '  Whereabouts  may  you  happen  to  be  towards  sunset  ?  * 

"  '  I  fear  we  shall  be  in  the  mountains,'  said  I,  with  a 
knowing  look,  'where  ambuscades  and  surprise  parties 
would  be  mghly  dangerous.' 

"  '  And  your  party  consists  of ?  * 

" '  About  twenty  Portuguese,  all  ready  to  run  at  the  first 
•hot.' 

"  •  I'll  do  it,  Monsoon  !     I'll  be  hanged  if  I  don't.' 

" '  But  Tom,'  said  I,  '  don't  make  any  blunder ;  only 
blank  cartridge,  my  boy.' 

"  '  Honour  bright  I '  cried  he  ;  '  your  fellows  are  armed, 
of  course  ?  ' 

" '  Never  think  of  that ;  they  may  shoot  each  other  in 
the  confusion;  but,  if  you  only  make  plenty  of  noise 
coming  on,  they'll  never  wait  for  you.' 

"  '  What  capital  fellows  they  must  be ! ' 

"  '  Crack  troops,  Tom  ;  so  don't  hurt  them :  and  now, 
good  night.' 

"  As  I  cantered  off,  I  began  to  think  over  O'Flaherty's 
idea,  and,  upon  my  life,  I  didn't  half  like  it :  he  was  a 
reckless  devil-may-care  fellow,  and  it  was  just  as  likely  he 
would  really  put  his  scheme  into  practice. 

"When  morning  broke,  however,  we  got  under  way 
again,  and  I  amused  myself  all  the  forenoon  in  detailing 
stories  of  French  cruelty ;  so  that,  before  we  had  marched 
ten  miles,  there  was  not  a  man  amongst  us  not  ready  to 
run  at  the  slightest  sound  of  attack  on  any  side.  As 
evening  was  falling  we  reached  Morento,  a  little  mountain 
pass  which  follows  the  course  of  a  small  river,  and  where 
in  many  places,  the  mule-carts  had  barely  space  enough  to 
pass  between  the  cliffs  and  the  stream.  '  What  a  place 
for  Tom  O'Flaherty  and  his  foragers  !  '  thought  I,  as  we 
entered  the  little  moutain  gorge  ;  but  all  was  silent  as  the 
grave ;  except  the  tramp  of  our  party,  not  a  sound  was 
heard.  There  was  something  solemn  and  still  in  the  great 
brown  mountain,  rising  like  vast  walls  on  either  side,  with  a 
narrow  streak  of  grey  sky  at  top,  and  in  the  dark  sluggish 
stream,  that  seemed  to  awe  us,  and  no  one  spoke ;  the 
muleteer  ceased  his  merry  song,  and  did  not  crack  or 


410  CHARLES  O'MALLET. 

flourish  his  long  whip  as  before,  but  chid  his  beasts  in  a 
half- muttered  voice,  and  urged  them  faster,  to  reach  the 
village  before  nightfall. 

"  Egad,  somehow  I  felt  uncommonly  uncomfortable  ;  I 
could  not  divest  my  mind  of  the  impression  that  some 
disaster  was  impending,  and  I  wished  O'Flaherty  and  his 
project  in  a  very  warm  climate.  '  He'll  attack  us,'  thought 
I,  '  where  we  can't  run ;  fair  play  for  ever ;  but,  i?  they 
are  not  able  to  get  away,  even  the  militia  will  fight.' 
However,  the  evening  crept  on,  and  no  sign  of  his  coming 
appeared  on  any  side,  and,  to  my  sincere  satisfaction,  I 
could  see,  about  half  a  league  distant,  the  twinkling  light 
of  the  little  village  where  we  were  to  halt  for  the  night. 
It  was  just  at  this  time  that  a  scout  I  had  sent  out  some 
few  hundred  yards  in  advance  came  galloping  up,  almost 
breathless. 

" '  The  French,  captain  ;  the  French  are  upon  us ! '  said 
he,  with  a  face  like  a  ghost. 

"  *  Whew !  Which  way  ?  how  many  P  '  said  I,  not  at 
all  sure  that  he  might  not  be  telling  the  truth. 

" '  Coming  in  force  1 '  said  the  fellow :  *  dragoons  !  by 
this  road.' 

"  *  Dragoons  ?  By  this  road  ?  '  repeated  every  man  of 
the  party,  looking  at  each  other  like  men  sentenced  to  be 
hanged. 

"  Scarcely  had  they  spoken,  when  we  heard  the  distant 
noise  of  cavalry  advancing  at  a  brisk  trot.  Lord,  what  a 
scene  ensued!  the  soldiers  ran  hither  and  thither  like 
frightened  sheep  ;  some  pulled  out  crucifixes  and  began  to 
say  their  prayers  ;  others  fired  off  their  muskets  in  a 
panic  ;  the  mule-drivers  cut  their  traces,  and  endeavoured 
to  get  away  by  riding;  and  the  Intendant  took  to  his 
heels,  screaming  out  to  us,  as  he  went,  to  fight  manfully 
to  the  last,  and  that  he'd  report  us  favourably  to  the  Junta. 

"  Just  as  this  moment  the  dragoons  came  in  sight ;  they 
came  galloping  up,  shouting  like  madmen.  One  look  was 
enough  for  my  fellows  ;  they  sprang  to  their  legs  from 
their  devotions ;  fired  a  volley  straight  at  the  new  moon, 
&nd  ran  like  men. 

"  I  was  knocked  down  in  the  rush.  As  I  regained  my 
legs,  Tom  O'Flaherty  was  standing  beside  me,  laughing 
like  mad. 


THE    DEPARTURE.  411 

'* '  Eh,  Moouson !  I've  kept  my  word,  old  fellow ! 
What  legs  they  have  !  wo  shall  make  no  prisoners,  that's 
certain. — Now,  lads,  here  it  is  !  put  the  horses  to,  here. 
We  shall  take  but  one,  Monsoon,  so  that  your  gallant 
defence  of  the  rest  will  please  the  Junta.  Good  night ; 
good  night !  I  will  drink  your  health  every  night  these 
two  months.' 

"  So  saying,  Tom  sprang  to  his  saddle,  and  in  less  time 
than  I've  been  telling  it  the  whole  was  over,  and  I  sitting 
by  myself  in  the  grey  moonlight,  meditating  on  all  I  saw, 
and  now  and  then  shouting  to  my  Portuguese  friends  to 
co«ie  back  again.  They  came  in  time,  by  two  and  threes, 
and  at  last  the  whole  party  reassembled,  and  we  set  forth 
again, — every  man,  from  the  Intendant  to  the  drummer, 
lauding  my  valour,  and  Baying  that  Don  Monsoon  was  a 
match  for  the  Cid." 

"  And  how  did  the  Junta  behave  ?  " 

"  Like  trumps,  Charley.  Made  me  a  Knight  of  Battalha, 
and  kissed  me  on  both  cheeks,  having  sent  twelve  dozen 
of  the  rescued  wine  to  my  quarters,  as  a  small  testimony 
of  their  esteem.  I  have  laughed  very  often  at  it  since. 
But,  hush!  Charley.  What's  that  I  hear  without 
there  ?  " 

"  Oh,  it's  my  fellow,  Mike.  He  asked  my  leave  to 
entertain  his  friends  before  parting,  and  I  perceive  he  is 
delighting  them  with  a  song." 

"  But,  what  a  confounded  air  it  is !  are  the  words 
Hebrew  ?  " 

"  Irish,  Major ;  most  classical  Irish,  too,  I'll  be 
bound." 

"  Irish !  I've  heard  most  tongues  ;  but  that  certainly 
surprises  me.  Call  him  in,  Charley,  and  let  us  have  the 
canticle." 

In  a  few  minutes  more,  Mr.  Free  appeared,  in  a  state  of 
very  satisfactory  elevation,  his  eyebrows  alternately  rising 
and  falling,  his  mouth  a  little  drawn  to  one  side,  and  a 
side  motion  in  his  knee-joints  that  might  puzzle  a  physi- 
ologist to  account  for. 

"  A  sweet  little  song  of  yours,  Mike,"  said  the  Major 
"  a  very  sweet  thing  indeed.     Wet  your  lips,  Mickey." 

"  Long  life  to  your  honour,  and  Master  Charles  there 
too,  and  them  that  belongs  to  both  of*  yez.  May  a  goose- 


412  OHAELES  O'MALLBY. 

berry  skin  make  a  nightcap  for  the  man  would  harm  eithe* 
of  ye." 

"  Thank  you,  Mike.     And  now  about  that  song." 

"It's  the  ouldest  tune  ever  was  sung,"  said  Mike,  with 
a  hiccup,  "  barring  Adam  had  a  taste  for  music ;  bat  the 
words — the  poethry  is  not  so  ould." 

"  And  how  comes  that  ?  " 

"  The  poethry,  ye  see,  was  put  to  it  by  one  of  my  ances- 
thors — he  was  a  great  inventhor  in  times  past,  and  made 
beautiful  songs — and  ye'd  never  guess  what  it's  all  about." 

*'  Love,  mayhap  ?  "  quoth  Monsoon. 

"  Sorra  taste  of  kissing  from  beginning  to  end.*' 

"  A  drinking  song  ?  "  said  I. 

"Whisky  is  never  mentioned." 

"  Fighting  is  the  only  other  national  pastime.  It  must 
be  in  praise  of  sudden  death  ?  " 

"  You're  out  again  ;  but  sure  you'd  never  guess  it,"  said 
Mike.  "  Well,  ye  see,  here's  what  it  is.  It's  the  praise  and 
glory  of  ould  Ireland  in  the  great  days  that's  gone,  when  we 
were  all  Phenayceans  and  Armenians,  and  when  we  worked 
all  manner  of  beautiful  contrivances  in  goold  and  silver ; 
bracelets,  and  collars,  and  teapots,  illigant  to  look  at ; 
and  read  Roosian  and  Latin,  and  played  the  harp  and  the 
barrel-organ  ;  and  ate  and  drank  of  the  best,  for  nothing 
but  asking." 

"  Blessed  times,  upon  my  life !  "  quoth  the  Major ;  "  I 
wish  we  had  them  back  again." 

"  There's  more  of  your  mind,"  said  Mike,  steadying 
himself.  "  My  ancesthors  was  great  people  in  them  days ; 
and  sure  it  isn't  in  my  present  situation  I'd  be  av  we  had 
them  back  again — sorra  bit,  faith !  It  isn't,  '  Come  here, 
Mickey,  bad  luck  to  you,  Mike ! '  or,  '  That  blackguard, 
Mickey  Free  ! '  people'd  be  calling  me.  But  no  matter ; 
here's  your  health  again,  Major  Monsoon " 

"  Never  mind  vain  regrets,  Mike.  Let  us  hear  your 
song ;  the  Major  has  taken  a  great  fancy  to  it." 

"  Ah,  then,  it's  joking  you  are,  Mister  Charles,"  said 
Mike,  affecting  an  air  of  most  bashful  coyness. 

*'  By  no  means  ;  we  want  to  hear  you  sing  it." 

"  To  be  sure  we  do.  Sing  it  by  all  means ;  never  be 
ashamed.  King  David  was  very  fond  of  singing— upon 
my  life  he  was," 


THE   DEPARTURE.  418 

"  But  you'd  never  understand  a  word  of  it,  sir." 

"  No  matter ;  we  know  what  it's  about.  That's  the  way 
with  the  Legion  ;  they  don't  know  much  English,  but  they 
generally  guess  what  I'm  at." 

This  argument  seemed  to  satisfy  all  Mike's  remaining 
scruples,  so,  placing  himself  in  an  attitude  of  considerable 
pretension  as  to  grace,  he  began,  with  a  voice  of  no  very 
measured  compass,  an  air,  of  which,  neither  by  name  nor 
otherwise,  can  I  give  any  conception  ;  my  principal  amuse- 
ment being  derived  from  a  tol-de-rol  chorus  of  the  Major, 
which  concluded  each  verse,  and,  indeed,  in  a  lower  key, 
accompanied  the  singer  throughout. 

Since  that  I  have  succeeded  in  obtaining  a  free-and-easy 
translation  of  the  lyric ;  but  in  my  anxiety  to  preserve  the 
metre  and  something  of  the  spirit  of  the  original,  I  have 
made  several  blunders  and  many  anachronisms.  Mr.  Free, 
however,  pronounces  my  version  a  good  one ;  and  the 
world  must  take  his  word  till  some  more  worthy  translator 
ghall  have  consigned  it  to  immortal  verse. 

With  this  apology,  therefore,  I  present  Mr.  Free's  song : 

Air — "  Na  Ouilloch  y'  Ooulen," 

"  Oh  !  once  we  were  illtgant  people, 

Though  we  now  live  in  cabins  of  mud ; 
And  the  land  that  ye  see  from  the  steeple 

Belonged  to  us  all  from  the  Flood. 
My  father  was  then  King  of  Connaught, 

My  grand-aunt  Viceroy  of  Tralee  ; 
But  the  Sassenach  came,  and,  signs  on  it, 

The  devil  an  acre  have  we. 

"  The  least  of  us  then  were  all  earls, 
And  jewels  we  wore  without  name  ; 

We  drank  punch  out  of  rubies  and  pearls—- 
Mr. Petrie  can  tell  you  the  same. 

But,  except  some  turf  mould  and  potatoes, 
There's  nothing  our  own  we  can  call ; 

And  the  English — bad  luck  to  them ! — hate  us, 
Because  we've  more  fun  than  them  all  1 

•*  My  grand-aunt  was  niece  to  St.  Kevin, 

That's  the  reason  my  name's  Mickey  Free  I 
Priest's  nieces — but  sure  he's  in  heaven, 

And  his  failing  is  nothin'  to  me. 
And  we  still  might  get  on  without  doctors, 

If  they'd  let  the  ould  Island  alone  ; 
And  if  purple  men,  priests,  and  tithe-proctors, 

Were  crammed  down  the  great  gun  of  Athlone." 


414  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

As  Mike's  melody  proceeded,  the  Major's  thorough  basa 
waxed  beautifully  less — now  and  then,  it's  true,  roused  by 
some  momentary  strain,  it  swelled  upwards  in  full  chorus, 
but  gradually  these  passing  flights  grew  rarer,  and  finally 
all  ceased,  save  a  long,  low,  di'oning  sound,  like  the  expir- 
ing sigh  of  a  wearied  bagpipe.  His  fingers  still  continued 
mechanically  to  beat  time  upon  the  table,  and  still  his  head 
nodded  sympathetically  to  tne  music  ;  his  eyelids  closed 
in  sleep,  and,  as  the  last  verse  concluded,  a  full-drawn 
snore  announced  that  Monsoon,  if  not  in  the  land  of 
dreams,  was,  at  least,  in  a  happy  oblivion  of  all  terrestrial 
concerns,  and  caring  as  little  for  the  woes  of  green  Erin 
and  the  altered  fortunes  of  the  Free  family  as  any  Saxon 
that  ever  oppressed  them. 

There  he  sat,  the  finished  decanter  and  empty  goblet 
testifying  that  his  labours  had  only  ceased  from  the 
pressure  of  necessity ;  but  the  broken,  half-uttered  words 
that  fell  from  his  lips  evinced  that  he  reposed  on  the  last 
bottle  of  the  series. 

"  Oh,  thin !  he's  a  fine  ould  gentleman,"  said  Mike,  after 
a  pause  of  some  minutes,  during  which  he  had  been  con- 
templating the  Major  with  all  the  critical  acumen  Chantrey 
or  Canova  would  have  bestowed  upon  an  antique  statue — 
"  a  fine  ould  gentleman,  every  inch  of  him  ;  and  it's  the 
master  would  like  to  have  him  up  at  the  castle." 

"  Quite  true,  Mike :  but  let  us  not  forget  the  road. 
Look  to  the  cattle,  and  be  ready  to  start  within  an  hour." 

When  he  left  the  room  for  this  purpose,  I  endeavoured 
to  shake  the  Major  into  momentary  consciousness  ere  we 
parted. 

"Major,  Major,"  said  I,  "time  is  up.     I  must  start." 

"  Yes,  it's  all  true,  your  Excellency ;  they  pillaged  a 
little ;  and,  if  they  did  change  their  facings  there  was  a 
great  temptation.  All  the  red  velvet  they  found  in  the 
churches " 

"  Good-bye,  old  fellow,  good-bye !  " 

"  Stand  at  ease !  " 

"  Can't,  unfortunately,  yet  awhile :  so  farewell.  I'll 
make  a  capital  report  of  the  Legion  to  Sir  Arthur ;  shall 
I  add  anything  particularly  from  yourself  ?  " 

This,  and  the  shake  that  accompanied  it,  aroused  him : 
he  started  up,  and  looked  about  him  for  a  few  seconds. 


THE    DEPARTURE.  415 

"  Eh,  Charley !  You  didn't  say  Sir  Arthur  was  hero, 
did  you?" 

"  No,  Major ;  don't  be  frightened  ;  he's  many  a  league 
off.  I  asked  if  you  had  anything  to  say  when  I  met  him." 

"  Oh  yes,  Charley.  Tell  him  we're  capital  troops  in  our 
own  little  way  in  the  mountains;  would  never  do  in  pitched 
battles  ;  skirmishing's  our  forte  ;  and,  for  cutting  off  strag- 
glers or  sacking  a  town,  back  them  at  any  odds." 

"  Yes,  yes,  I  know  all  that :  you've  nothing  more  ?  " 

"Nothing,"  said  he,  once  more  closing  his  eyes  and 
crossing  his  hands  before  him,  while  his  lips  continued  to 
mutter  on,  "  Nothing  more,  except  you  may  say  from  me, 
— he  knows  me,  Sir  Arthur  does.  Tell  him  to  guard 
himself  from  intemperance:  a  fine  fellow  if  he  wouldn't 
drink." 

"You  horrid  old  humbug,  what  nonsense  are  you 
muttering  there  ?  " 

"  Yes,  yes ;  Solomon  says,  '  Who  hath  red  eyes  and  car- 
buicles?' — they  that  mix  their  lush.  Pure  Sneyd  never 
injured  any  one.  Tell  him  so  from  me:  it's  an  old  man's 
advice,  and  I  have  drunk  some  hogsheads  of  it." 

With  these  words  he  ceased  to  speak,  while  his  head, 
falling  gently  forward  upon  his  chest,  proclaimed  him 
sound  asleep. 

"  Adieu !  then,  for  the  last  time,"  said  I,  slapping  him 
gently  on  the  shoulder;  "  and  now  for  the  road." 


416  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 


CHAPTER  LVH. 

OUKSTA. 

THE  second  day  of  onr  journey  was  drawing  to  a  close  aa 
we  came  in  view  of  the  Spanish  army. 

The  position  they  occupied  was  an  undulating  plain 
beside  the  Teitar  river :  the  country  presented  no  striking 
feature  of  picturesque  beauty;  but  the  scene  before  us 
needed  no  such  aid  to  make  it  one  of  the  most  interesting 
kind.  From  the  little  mountain  path  we  travelled,  we 
beheld  beneath  a  force  of  thirty  thousand  men  drawn  up 
in  battle  array ;  dense  columns  of  infantry,  alternating  with 
squadrons  of  horse  or  dark  masses  of  artillery,  dotted  the 
wide  plain,  the  bright  steel  glittering  in  the  rich  sunset  of 
a  July  evening,  when  not  a  breath  of  air  was  stirring :  the 
very  banners  hung  down  listlessly,  and  not  a  sound  broke 
the  solemn  stillness  of  the  hour.  All  was  silent :  so  im- 
pressive and  so  strange  was  the  spectacle  of  a  vast  army 
thus  resting  mutely  under  arms,  that  I  reined  in  my  horse 
and  almost  doubted  the  reality  of  the  scene  as  I  gazed 
upon  it.  The  dark  shadows  of  the  tall  mountain  were 
falling  across  the  valley,  and  a  starry  sky  was  already 
replacing  the  ruddy  glow  of  sunset  as  we  reached  the 
plain ;  but  still  no  change  took  place  in  the  position  of 
the  Spanish  army. 

"  Who  goes  there  ?"  cried  a  hoarse  voice  as  we  issued 
from  the  mountain  gorge,  and  in  a  moment  we  found  our- 
selves surrounded  by  an  outpost  party.  Having  explained, 
as  well  as  I  was  able,  who  I  was,  and  for  what  reason  I 
was  there,  I  proceeded  to  accompany  the  officer  towards 
the  camp. 

On  my  way  thither  I  learned  the  reason  of  the  singular 
display  of  troops  which  had  been  so  puzzling  to  me. 
From  an  early  hour  of  that  day  Sir  Arthur  Wellesley's 
arrival  had  been  expected,  and  old  Cuesta  had  drawn  up 
his  men  for  inspection,  and  remained  thus  for  several 


OUESTA. 

hours  patiently  awaiting  his  coming;  he  himself,  over- 
whelmed with  years  and  infirmity,  sitting  upon  his  horse 
the  entire  time. 

As  it  was  not  necessary  that  I  should  he  presented  to 
the  General,  my  report  being  for  the  ear  of  Sir  Arthur 
himself,  I  willingly  availed  myself  of  the  hospitality 
proffered  by  a  Spanish  officer  of  cavalry;  and,  having 
provided  for  the  comforts  of  my  tired  cattle  and  taken  a 
hasty  supper,  issued  forth  to  look  at  the  troops,  which, 
although  it  was  now  growing  late,  were  still  in  the  same 
attitude. 

Scarcely  had  I  been  half  an  hour  thus  occupied,  when 
the  stillness  of  the  scene  was  suddenly  interrupted  by  the 
loud  report  of  a  large  gun,  immediately  followed  by  a  long 
roll  of  musketry,  while,  at  the  same  moment,  the  bands  of 
the  different  regiments  struck  up,  and,  as  if  by  magic,  a 
blaze  of  red  light  streamed  across  the  dark  ranks :  this 
was  effected  by  pine-torches  held  aloft  at  intervals,  throw- 
ing a  lurid  glow  upon  the  grim  and  swarthy  features  of 
the  Spaniards,  whose  brown  uniforms  and  slouching  hats 
presented  a  most  picturesque  effect  as  the  red  light  fell 
upon  them. 

The  swell  of  the  thundering  cannon  grew  louder  and 
nearer;  the  shouldering  of  muskets,  the  clash  of  sabres, 
and  the  hoarse  roll  of  the  drum,  mingling  in  one  common 
din.  I  at  once  guessed  that  Sir  Arthur  had  arrived,  and: 
as  I  turned  the  flank  of  a  battalion,  I  saw  the  staff  ap- 
proaching. 

Nothing  can  be  conceived  more  striking  than  their 
advance.  In  the  front  rode  old  Cuesta  himself,  clad  in 
the  costume  of  a  past  century,  his  slashed  doublet  and 
trunk  hose  reminding  one  ot'  a  more  chivalrous  period  ; 
his  heavy,  unwieldy  figure,  looming  from  side  to  side,  and 
threatening  at  each  moment  to  fall  from  his  saddle.  On 
each  side  of  him  walked  two  figures  gorgeously  dressed, 
whose  duty  appeared  to  be  to  sustain  the  chief  in  his  seat. 
At  his  side  rode  a  far  different  figure.  Mounted  upon  a 
slight-made,  active  thorough-bred,  whose  drawn  flanks 
bespoke  a  long  and  weary  journey,  sat  Sir  Arthur  Wel- 
lesley,  a  plain  blue  frock  and  grey  trousers  being  his 
unpretending  costume;  but  the  eagle  glance  which  he 
threw  around  on  every  side,  the  quick  motion  of  his  hand 


418  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

as  he  pointed  hither  and  thither  among  the  dense  bat- 
talions, bespoke  him  every  inch  a  soldier.  Behind  them 
came  a  brilliant  staff,  glittering  in  aiguillettes  and  golden 
trappings,  among  whom  I  recognized  some  well-remem- 
bered faces;  our  gallant  leader  at  the  Douro,  Sir  Charles 
Stewart,  among  the  number. 

As  they  passed  the  spot  where  I  was  standing,  the  torch 
of  a  foot  soldier  behind  me  flared  suddenly  up,  and  threw 
a  strong  flash  upon  the  party.  Cuesta's  horse  grew  fright- 
ened, and  plunged  so  fearfully  for  a  minute,  that  the  poor 
old  man  could  scarcely  keep  his  seat.  A  smile  shot  across 
Sir  Arthur's  features  at  the  moment,  but  the  next  instant 
he  was  grave  and  steadfast  as  before. 

A  wretched  hovel,  thatched  and  in  ruins,  formed  the 
head-quarters  of  the  Spanish  army,  and  thither  the  staff 
now  bent  their  steps  ;  a  supper  being  provided  there  for 
our  Commander-in-Chief  and  the  officers  of  his  suite. 
Although  not  of  the  privileged  party,  I  lingered  round  the 
spot  for  some  time,  anxiously  expecting  to  find  some 
friend  or  acquaintance,  who  might  tell  me  the  news  of 
our  people,  and  what  events  had  occurred  in  my  absence. 


419 


CHAPTER  LVIIL 

THE   LETTKft. 

THE  hours  passed  slowly  over,  and  I  at  length  grew  weary 
of  waiting.  For  some  time  I  had  amused  myself  with 
observing  the  slouching  gait  and  un soldier-like  air  of  the 
Spaniards  as  they  lounged  carelessly  about ;  looking,  in 
dress,  gesture,  and  appointment,  far  more  like  a  guerilla 
than  a  regular  force.  Then,  again,  the  strange  contrast  of 
the  miserable  hut,  with  falling  chimneys  and  ruined  walls, 
to  the  glitter  of  the  mounted  guard  of  honour  who  sat 
motionless  beside  it,  served  to  pass  the  time ;  but,  as  the 
night  was  already  far  advanced,  I  turned  towards  my 
quarters,  hoping  that  the  next  morning  might  gratify  my 
curiosity  about  my  friends. 

Beside  the  tent  where  I  was  billeted,  I  found  Mike  in 
waiting,  who,  the  moment  he  saw  me,  came  hastily  forward 
with  a  letter  in  his  hand.  An  officer  of  Sir  Arthur's  staff 
had  left  it  while  I  was  absent,  desiring  Mike  on  no  account 
to  omit  its  delivery  the  first  instant  he  met  me.  The  hand 
— not  a  very  legible  one — was  perfectly  unknown  to  me, 
and  the  appearance  of  the  billet  such  as  betrayed  no  over- 
scrupulous care  in  the  writer. 

I  trimmed  my  lamp  leisurely,  threw  a  fresh  log  upon  the 
fire,  disposed  myself  completely  at  full  length  beside  it,  and 
then  proceeded  to  form  acquaintance  with  my  unknown 
correspondent.  I  will  not  attempt  any  description  of  the 
feelings  which  gradually  filled  me  as  I  read  on  ;  the  letter 
itself  will  suggest  them  to  those  who  know  my  story.  It 
ran  thus: 

"  Placentia,  July  8,  1809. 

"  DEAR  O'MALLET, — Although  I'd  rather  march  to  Lisbon 
barefoot  than  write  three  lines,  Fred  Power  insists  upon 
my  turning  scribe,  as  he  has  a  notion  you'll  be  up  at 
Cuesta's  head-quarters  about  this  time.  You're  in  a  nice 


420  CHARLES  O'MALLET. 

scrape,  devil  a  lie  in  it!  Hei'e  has  Fred  been  fighting  that 
fellow  Trevyllian  for  you — all  because  you  would  not  have 
patience  and  fight  him  yourself  the  morning  you  left  the 
Douro — so  much  for  haste !  Let  it  be  a  lesson  to  you  for 
life. 

"  Poor  Fred  got  the  ball  in  his  hip,  and  the  devil  a  one 
of  the  doctors  can  find  it.  But  he's  getting  better  any- 
way, and  going  to  Lisbon  for  change  of  air.  Meanwhile, 
since  Power's  been  wounded,  Trevyllian's  speaking  very 
hardly  of  you,  and  they  all  say  here  you  must  come  back — 
no  matter  how — and  put  matters  to  rights.  Fred  has 
placed  the  matter  in  my  hands,  and  I'm  thinking  we'd 
better  call  out  the  "  heavies "  by  turns ;  for  most  of 
them  stand  by  Trevyllian.  Maurice  Quill  and  myself 
sat  up  considering  it  last  night ;  but,  somehow,  we 
don't  clearly  remember  to-day  a  beautiful  plan  we 
hit  upon.  However,  we'll  have  at  it  again  this  evening. 
Meanwhile,  come  over  here,  and  let  us  be  doing  some- 
thing. We  hear  that  old  Monsoon  has  blown  up  a  town, 
a  bridge,  and  a  big  convent.  They  must  have  been  hiding 
the  plunder  very  closely,  or  he'd  never  have  been  reduced 
to  such  extremities.  We'll  have  a  brush  with  the  Freuch 
soon. 

"  Yours  most  eagerly, 

"D.  O'SHAUOHNESSY." 

My  first  thoughts,  as  I  ran  my  eye  over  these  lines, 
was  to  seek  for  Power's  note,  written  on  the  morning  we 
parted.  I  opened  it,  and  to  my  horror  found  that  it  only 
related  to  my  quarrel  with  Hammersley.  My  meeting 
with  Trevyllian  had  been  during  Fred's  absence,  and — 
when  he  assured  me  that  all  was  satisfactorily  arranged 
and  a  full  explanation  tendered ;  that  nothing  interferred 
with  my  departure — I  utterly  forgot  that  he  was  only 
aware  of  one  half  my  troubles  ;  and,  in  the  haste  and 
bustle  of  my  departure,  had  not  a  moment  left  me  to 
collect  myself  and  think  calmly  on  the  matter.  The 
two  letters  lay  before  me,  and,  as  I  thought  over  the 
stain  upon  my  character  thus  unwittingly  incurred, — the 
blast  I  had  thrown  upon  my  reputation,  the  wound  of 
my  poor  friend,  who  exposed  himself  for  my  sake, — I 


THE    LETTEB.  421 

grew  sick  at  heart,  and  the  bitter  tears  of  agony  burst 
from  my  eyes. 

That  weary  night  passed  slowly  over;  the  blight  of 
all  my  prospects,  when  they  seemed  fairest  and  brightest, 
presented  itself  to  me  in  a  hundred  shapes ;  and  when, 
overcome  by  fatigue  and  exhaustion,  I  closed  my  eyes  to 
sleep,  it  was  only  to  follow  up  in  my  dreams  my  waking 
thoughts.  Morning  came  at  length  :  but  its  bright  sun- 
shine and  balmy  air,  brought  no  comfort  to  me  :  I  abso- 
lutely dreaded  to  meet  my  brother  officers  ;  I  felt  that,  in 
such  a  position  as  I  stood,  no  half  or  partial  explanation 
could  suffice  to  set  me  right  in  their  estimation ;  and  yet, 
what  opportunity  had  I  for  aught  else  ?  Irresolute  how 
to  act,  I  sat  leaning  my  head  upon  my  hands,  when  I  heard 
a  footstep  approach ;  I  looked  up  and  saw  before  me  no 
other  than  my  poor  friend  Sparks,  from  whom  I  had  been 
separated  so  long.  Any  other  adviser  at  such  a  moment 
would,  I  acknowledge,  have  been  as  welcome  ;  for  the  poor 
fellow  knew  but  little  of  the  world,  and  still  less  of  the 
service.  However,  one  glance  convinced  me  that  his  heart 
at  least  was  true,  and  I  shook  his  outstretched  hand  with 
delight.  In  a  few  words,  he  informed  me  that  Merivale 
had  secretly  commissioned  him  to  come  over,  in  the  hope 
of  meeting  me ;  that,  although  all  the  14th  men  were 
persuaded  that  I  was  not  to  blame  in  what  had 
occurred,  yet  that  reports  so  injurious  had  gone  abroad, 
so  many  partial  and  imperfect  statements  were  circulated, 
that  nothing  but  my  return  to  head-quarters  would 
avail,  and  that  I  must  not  lose  a  moment  in  having 
Trevyllian  out,  with  whom  all  the  misrepresentation  had 
originated. 

"  This,  of  course,"  said  Sparks,  "  is  to  be  a  secret ; 
Merivale,  being  our  Colonel " 

"  Of  course,"  said  I,  "  he  cannot  countenance,  much 
less  counsel,  such  a  proceeding.  Now,  then,  for  the  road." 

"  Yes  ;  but  you  cannot  leave  before  making  your  report. 
Gordon  expects  to  see  you  at  eleven ;  he  told  me  so  last 
night," 

"  I  cannot  help  it ;  I  shall  not  wait ;  my  mind  is  made 
up.  My  career  here  matters  but  little  in  comparison  with 
this  horrid  charge.  I  shall  be  broke,  but  I  shall  be 
avenged." 


422  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

"  Come,  come,  O'Malley;  yon  are  in  our  hands  now, 
and  you  must  be  guided.  You  shall  wait ;  you  shall  see 
Gordon :  half  an  hour  will  make  your  report,  and  I  have 
relays  of  horses  along  the  road,  and  we  shall  reach 
Placentia  by  nightfall." 

There  was  a  tone  of  firmness  in  this,  so  unlike  anything 
I  ever  looked  for  in  the  speaker,  and  withal  so  much  of 
foresight  and  precaution,  that  I  could  scarcely  credit  my 
senses  as  he  spoke.  Having,  at  length,  agreed  to  his  pro- 
posal, Sparks  left  me  to  think  over  my  return  to  the 
Legion,  promising  that,  immediately  after  my  interview 
with  the  Military  Secretary,  we  should  start  together  for 
head-quarters. 


CHAPTER  LES. 

MAJOR   O'SIIAUQHNESST. 

"  THIS  is  Major  O'Shaughnessy's  quarters,  sir,**  said  a 
sergeant,  as  he  stopped  short  at  the  door  of  a  small  low 
house  in  the  midst  of  an  olive  plantation ;  an  Irish  wolf-dog 
— the  well-known  companion  of  the  Major — lay  stretched 
across  the  entrance,  watching  with  eager  and  bloodshot 
eyes  the  process  of  cutting  tip  a  bullock,  which  two 
soldiers  in  undress  jackets  were  performing  within  a 
few  yards  of  the  spot. 

Stepping  cautiously  across  the  savage-looking  sentinel, 
I  entered  the  little  hall,  and,  finding  no  one  near,  passed 
into  a  small  room,  the  door  of  which  lay  half  open. 

A  very  palpable  odour  of  cigars  and  brandy  proclaimed, 
even  without  his  presence,  that  this  was  O'Shaughnessy's 
sitting-room ;  so  I  sat  myself  down  upon  an  old-fashioned 
sofa  to  wait  patiently  for  his  return,  which  I  heard  would 
be  immediately  after  the  evening  parade.  Sparks  had 


MAJOR   O'SHAUGHNESSY.  423 

become  knocked  up  during  our  ride,  so  tliat  for  the  last 
three  leagues  I  was  alone;  and,  like  most  men  in  such 
circumstances,  pressed  on  only  the  harder.  Completely 
worn  out  for  want  of  rest,  I  had  scarcely  placed  myself  on 
the  sofa  when  I  fell  sound  asleep.  When  I  awoke,  all  was 
dark  around  me,  save  the  faint  flickerings  of  the  wood 
embers  on  the  hearth,  and  for  some  moments  I  could  not 
remember  where  I  was  :  but  by  degrees  recollection  came, 
and  as  I  thought  over  my  position  and  its  possible  conse- 
quences, I  was  again  nearly  dropping  asleep,  when  the 
door  suddenly  opened,  and  a  heavy  step  sounded  on  the 
floor. 

I  lay  still  and  spoke  not,  as  a  large  figure  in  a  cloak 
approached  the  fireplace,  and  stooping  down  endeavoured 
to  light  a  candle  at  the  fast  expiring  fire. 

I  had  little  difficulty  in  detecting  the  Major  even  by  the 
half-light ;  a  muttered  execration  upon  the  candle,  given 
with  an  energy  that  only  an  Irishman  ever  bestows  upon 
slight  matters,  soon  satisfied  me  on  this  head. 

"  May  the  devil  fly  away  with  the  commissary  and  the 
chandler  to  the  forces !  Ah !  you've  lit  at  last." 

With  these  words  he  stood  up,  and  his  eyes  falling  on 
me  at  the  moment,  he  sprang  a  yard  or  two  backwards, 
exclaiming,  as  he  did  so,  "  The  blessed  Virgin  be  near  us, 
what's  this?"  a  most  energetic  crossing  of  himself  ac- 
companying his  words.  My  pale  and  haggard  face, 
thus  suddenly  presented,  having  suggested  to  the  worthy 
Major  the  impression  of  a  supernatural  visitor,  a  hearty 
burst  of  laughter,  which  I  could  not  resist,  was  my  only 
answer ;  and  the  next  moment  O'Shaughnessy  was 
wrenching  my  hand  in  a  grasp  like  a  steel  vice. 

"  Upon  my  conscience,  I  thought  it  was  your  ghost ; 
and,  if  you  kept  quiet  a  little  longer,  I  was  going  to  promise 
you  Christian  burial,  and  as  many  masses  for  your  soul  as 
my  uncle  the  bishop  could  say  between  this  and  Easter. 
How  are  you,  my  boy  ?  a  little  thin  and  something  paler, 
I  think,  than  when  you  left  us." 

Having  assured  him  that  fatigue  and  hunger  were  in  a 
great  measure  the  cause  of  my  sickly  looks,  the  Major 
proceeded  to  place  before  me  the  dibris  of  his  day's  dinner, 
with  a  sufficiency  of  bottles  to  satisfy  a  mess-table,  keeping 
up  as  he  went  a  running  fire  of  conversation. 


424  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

"  I'm  as  glad  as  if  the  Lord  took  the  senior  Major  to  see 
you  here  this  night.  With  the  blessing  of  Providence  we'll 
shoot  Trevyllian  in  the  morning,  and  any  more  of  the 
heavies  that  like  it.  Yon  are  an  ill-treated  man,  that's 
what  it  is,  and  Dan  O'Shanghnessy  says  it.  Help  yourself, 
my  boy :  crusty  old  port  in  that  bottle  as  ever  you  touched 
your  lips  to.  Power's  getting  all  right ;  it  was  contract 
powder,  warranted  not  to  kill.  Bad  luck  to  the  commis- 
saries once  more !  With  such  ammunition  Sir  Arthur  does 
right  to  trust  most  to  the  bayonet.  And  how  is  Monsoon, 
the  old  rogue  ?  " 

'*  Gloriously ;  living  in  the  midst  of  wine  and  olives." 

"  No  fear  of  him,  the  old  sinner ;  but  he  is  a  fine  fellow, 
after  all.  Charley  you  are  eating  nothing,  boy." 

"  To  tell  you  the  truth,  I'm  far  more  anxious  to  talk  with 
you  at  this  moment  than  aught  else." 

"  So  you  shall :  the  night's  young.  Meanwhile,  I  had 
better  not  delay  matters.  You  want  to  have  Trevyllian 
out — is  not  that  so  ?  " 

"  Of  course ;  you  are  aware  how  it  happened  ?  '* 

"I  know  everything.  Go  on  with  your  supper,  and 
don't  mind  me;  I'll  be  back  in  twenty  minutes  or 
less." 

Without  waiting  for  any  reply,  he  threw  his  cloak  around 
him,  and  strode  out  of  the  room.  Once  more  I  was  alone ; 
but  already  my  frame  of  mind  was  altered — the  cheering 
tone  of  my  reckless,  gallant  countryman  had  raised  my 
spirits,  and  I  felt  animated  by  his  very  manner. 

An  hour  elapsed  before  the  Major  returned,  and,  when 
lie  did  come,  his  appearance  and  gestures  bespoke  anger 
and  disappointment.  He  threw  himself  hurriedly  into  a 
seat,  and  for  some  minutes  never  spoke. 

*'  The  world's  beautifully  changed,  anyhow,  since  I  began 
it,  O'Malley — when  you  thanked  a  man  civilly  that  asked 
you  to  fight  him.  The  devil  take  the  cowards  I  say  I." 

"  What  has  happened  ?     Tell  me,  I  beseech  you  !  " 

"  He  won't  fight,"  said  the  Major,  blurting  out  the  words 
as  if  they  would  choke  him. 

"  Hell  not  fight !    And  why  ?  " 

The  Major  was  silent:  he  seemed  confused  and  em- 
barrassed ;  he  turned  from  the  fire  to  the  table,  from  the 
table  to  the  fire,  filled  out  a  glass  of  wine,  drank  it  hastily 


MAJOR   O'SHAUGHNESSY.  425 

off,  and,  springing  from  his  chair,  paced  the  room  with 
long,  impatient  strides. 

"  My  dear  O'Shaughnessy,  explain,  I  beg  of  you.  Does 
he  refuse  to  meet  me  for  any  reason " 

"  He  does,"  said  the  Major,  turning  on  me  a  look  of  deep 
feeling  as  he  spoke  ;  "  and  he  does  it  to  ruin  you,  my  boy  ; 
but,  as  sure  as  my  name  is  Dan,  he'll  fail  this  time.  Ho 
was  sitting  with  his  friend  Beaufort  when  I  reached  his 
quarters,  and  received  me  with  all  the  ceremonious  polite- 
ness he  well  knows  how  to  assume.  I  told  him  in  a  few 
words  the  object  of  my  visit  ;  upon  which  Trevyllian, 
standing  up,  referred  me  to  his  friend  for  a  reply,  and  left 
the  room.  I  thought  that  all  was  right,  and  sat  down  to 
discuss,  as  I  believed,  preliminaries,  when  the  cool  puppy, 
with  his  back  to  the  fire,  carelessly  lisped  out, '  It  can't  be, 
Major ;  your  friend  is  too  late.' 

"  «  Too  late!  too  late  ? '  said  I. 

"  '  Yes,  precisely  so.  Not  up  to  time  ;  the  affair  should 
have  come  off  some  weeks  since.  We  won't  meet  him 
now.' 

"  '  This  is  really  your  answer  ? ' 

" '  This  is  really  my  answer ;  and  not  only  so,  but  the 
decision  of  our  mess.' 

"  What  I  said  after  this  he  may  remember.  Devil  take 
me  if  /  can ;  but  I  have  a  vague  recollection  of  saying 
something  that  the  aforesaid  mess  will  never  petition  the 
Horse  Guards  to  put  on  their  regimental  colours  :  and  here 
I  am " 

With  these  words  the  Major  gulped  down  a  full  goblet 
of  wine,  and  once  more  resumed  his  walk  through  the 
room.  I  shall  not  attempt  to  record  the  feelings  which 
agitated  me  during  the  Major's  recital.  In  one  rapid 
glance  I  saw  the  aim  of  my  vindictive  enemy.  My  honour, 
not  my  life,  was  the  object  he  sought  for ;  and  ten  thousand 
times  more  than  ever  did  I  pant  for  the  opportunity  to 
confront  him  in  a  deadly  combat. 

"  Charley,"  said  O'Shaughnessy,  at  length,  placing  his 
hand  upon  my  shoulder,  "you  must  get  to  bed  now — • 
nothing  more  can  be  done  to-night  in  any  way.  Be  assured 
of  one  thing,  my  boy — 111  not  desert  you ;  and  if  that 
assurance  can  give  you  a  sound  sleep,  you'll  not  need  a 
lullaby." 


426  CHARLES  O'MALLET. 


CHAPTER  LX. 

PRELIMINARIES. 

I  AWOKE  refreshed  on  the  following  morning,  and  came 
down  to  breakfast  with  a  lighter  heart  than  1  had  even 
hoped  for ;  a  secret  feeling  that  all  wonld  go  well  had 
somehow  taken  possession  of  me,  and  I  longed  for 
O'Shaughnessy's  coming,  trusting  that  he  might  be  able 
to  confirm  my  hopes.  His  servant  informed  me  that  the 
Major  had  been  absent  since  daybreak,  and  left  orders  that 
he  was  not  to  be  waited  for  at  breakfast. 

I  was  not  destined,  however,  to  pass  a  solitary  time  in 
his  absence,  for  every  moment  brought  some  new  arrivaJ 
to  visit  me,  and  during  the  morning  the  Colonel  and  every 
officer  of  the  regiment  not  on  actual  duty  came  over.  1 
soon  learned  that  the  feeling  respecting  Trevyllian's 
conduct  was  one  of  unmixed  condemnation  among  my 
own  corps ;  but  a  kind  of  party  spirit,  which  had  subsisted 
for  some  months  between  the  regiment  he  belonged  to  and 
the  14th,  had  given  a  graver  character  to  the  affair,  and 
induced  many  men  to  take  up  his  views  of  the  transaction  ; 
and,  although  I  heard  of  none  who  attributed  my  absence 
to  any  dislike  to  a  meeting,  yet  there  were  several  who 
conceived  that,  by  my  going  at  the  time,  I  had  forfeited 
all  claim  to  satisfaction  at  his  hands. 

"  Now  that  Merivale  is  gone,"  said  an  officer  to  me,  as 
the  Colonel  left  the  room,  "  I  may  confess  to  you  that  he 
sees  nothing  to  blame  in  your  conduct  throughout ;  and, 
even  had  you  been  aware  of  how  matters  were  circum- 
stanced, your  duty  was  too  imperative  to  have  preferred 
your  personal  considerations  to  it !  " 

"  Does  any  one  know  where  Conyers  is  P  "  said  Baker. 

"The  story  goes  that  Conyers  can  assist  us  here. 
Conyers  is  at  Zarza  la  Mayor,  with  the  28th — but  what 
can  he  do  ?  " 

**  That  I'm  not  able  to  tell  you ;  but  I  know  O'Shaugh- 


PRELIMINARIES.  427 

nessy  heard  something  at  parade  this  morning,  and  has 
set  off  in  search  of  him  on  every  side." 

*'  Was  Conyers  ever  out  with  Trevyllian  ?  " 

"  Not  as  a  principal,  I  believe.  The  report  is,  however, 
that  he  knows  more  about  him  than  other  people,  as  Tom 
certainly  does  of  everybody." 

"  It  is  rather  a  new  thing  for  Trevyllian  to  refuse  a 
meeting.  They,  say  O'Malley,  he  has  heard  of  your  shoot- 
ing!" 

"  No,  no,"  said  another,  "  he  cares  very  little  for  any 
man's  pistol.  If  the  story  be  true,  he  fires  a  second  or 
two  before  his  adversary ;  at  least,  it  was  in  that  way  he 
killed  Carysfort." 

"Here  comes  the  great  O'Shaughnessy  !**  cried  some 
one  at  the  window ;  and  the  next  moment  the  heavy  gallop 
of  a  horse  was  heard  along  the  causeway. 

In  an  instant  we  all  rushed  to  the  door  to  receive  him. 

"  It's  all  right,  lads,"  cried  he,  as  he  came  up :  "  we  have 
him  this  time." 

"  How  ?  when  ?  why  ?  in  what  way  have  you  managed  ?  " 
fell  from  a  dozen  voices,  as  the  Major  elbowed  his  way 
through  the  crowd  to  the  sitting-room. 

"  In  the  first  place,"  said  O'Shaughnessy,  drawing  a 
long  breath,  "  I  have  promised  secrecy  as  to  the  steps  of 
this  transaction  ;  secondly,  if  I  hadn't,  it  would  puzzle  me 
to  break  it,  for  I'll  be  hanged  if  I  know  more  than  your- 
selves. Tom  Conyers  wrote  me  a  few  lines  for  Treryllian, 
and  Trevyllian  pledges  himself  to  meet  our  friend ;  and 
that's  all  we  need  know  or  care  for." 

"  Then  you  have  seen  Trevyllian  this  morning  ?  " 

"  No,  Beaufort  met  me  at  the  village  :  but  even  now  it 
seems  this  affair  is  never  to  come  off.  Trevyllian  has  been 
sent  with  a  forage  party  towards  Lesco ;  however,  that 
can't  be  a  long  absence.  But,  for  Heaven's  sake !  let  me 
have  some  breakfast." 

While  O'Shaughnessy  proceeded  to  the  attack  of  the 
viands  before  him,  the  others  chatted  about  in  little  groups ; 
but  all  wore  the  pleased  and  happy  looks  of  men  who  had 
rescued  their  friend  from  a  menaced  danger.  As  for  my- 
self, my  heart  swelled  with  gratitude  to  the  kind  fellows 
around  me. 

"  How  has  Conyers  assisted  us  at  this  juncture  ?  "  was 

Vol.  30— (15) 


428  CHARLES  O'MALLET. 

my  first  question  to  O'Shaughnessy,  when  we  were  once 
more  alone. 

**  I  am  not  at  liberty  to  speak  on  that  subject,  Charley. 
But  be  satisfied  the  reasons  for  which  Trevyllian  meets 
you  are  fair  and  honourable." 

"  I  am  content." 

"  The  only  thing  now  to  be  done  is,  to  have  the  meeting 
as  soon  as  possible." 

"  We  are  all  agreed  upon  that  point,"  said  I ;  "  and  the 
more  so  as  the  matter  had  better  be  decided  before  Sir 
Arthur's  return." 

"  Quite  true  ;  and  now,  O'Malley,  you  had  better  join 
your  people  as  soon  as  may  be,  and  it  will  put  a  stop  to  all 
talking  about  the  matter." 

The  advice  was  good,  and  I  lost  no  time  in  complying 
with  it,  and,  when  I  joined  the  regiment  that  day  at  mess, 
it  was  with  a  light  heart  and  a  cheerful  spirit ;  for,  come 
what  might  of  the  affair,  one  thing  I  was  certain — my 
character  was  now  put  above  any  reach  of  aspersion*  anrt 
my  reputation  beyond  attack. 


429 


CHAPTER  LXL 

ALL   RIGHT. 

SOME  days  after  coming  back  to  head-quarters,  I  was 
returning  from  a  visit  I  had  been  making  to  a  friend 
at  one  of  the  outposta.  whpn  »t»  officer,  whom  I  knew 
slightly,  overtook  me  and  irfiormed  me  that  Major 
O'Shaughnessy  had  been  to  my  quarters  in  search  of 
me,  and  had  sent  persons  in  different  directions  to 
find  me. 

Suspecting  the  object  of  the  Major's  haste,  I  hurried 
on  at  once,  and,  as  I  rode  up  to  the  spot,  found  him  in 
the  midst  of  a  group  of  officers  engaged,  to  all  appear- 
ance, in  most  eager  conversation.  "  O,  here  he  comes !  " 
cried  he,  as  I  cantered  up.  "  Come,  by  boy,  doff  the 
blue  frock,  as  soon  as  you  can,  and  turn  out  in  your  best 
fitting  black.  Everything  has  been  settled  for  this 
evening  at  seven  o'clock,  and  we  have  no  time  to  lose." 

"  I  understand  you,"  said  I,  "  and  shall  not  keep  yon 
waiting."  So  saying,  I  sprang  from  my  saddle  and 
hastened  to  my  quarters  ;  as  I  entered  the  room  I  was 
followed  by  O'Shaughnessy,  who  closed  the  door  after 
him  as  he  came  in,  and  having  turned  the  key  in  it,  sat  down 
beside  the  table,  and,  folding  his  arms,  seemed  hurried  in 
reflection.  As  I  proceeded  with  my  toilet  he  returned  no 
answers  to  the  numerous  questions  I  put  to  him,  either  as 
to  the  time  of  Trevyllian's  return,  the  place  of  the  meeting, 
or  any  other  part  of  the  transaction. 

His  attention  seemed  to  wander  far  from  all  around 
and  about  him ;  and,  as  he  muttered  indistinctly  to  him- 
self, the  few  words  I  could  catch  bore  not  in  the  remotest 
degree  upon  the  matter  before  us. 

"  I  have  written  a  letter  or  two  here,  Major,"  said  I, 
opening  my  writing-desk ;  in  case  anything  happens,  you 
will  look  to  a  few  things  I  have  mentioned  here.  Some- 
how, I  could  not  write  to  poor  Fred  Power ;  but  you 


480  CHARLES  O'MALLET. 

must  tell  him  from  me  that  his  rude  conduct  towards  me 
was  tha  last  thing  I  spoke  of." 

"  What  confounded  nonsense  you  are  talking !  "  said 
O'Shaughnessy,  springing  from  his  seat  and  crossing  the 
room  with  tremendous  strides  ;  "  croaking  away  there 
as  if  the  bullet  was  in  your  thorax.  Hang  it,  man,  bear 
np!" 

"  But,  Major,  my  dear  friend,  what  the  deuce  are  you 
thinking  of?  The  few  things  I  mentioned " 

"  The  devil !  you  are  not  going  over  it  all  again,  are 
yon  ?  "  said  he,  in  a  voice  of  no  measured  tone. 

I  now  began  to  feel,  irritated  in  turn,  and  really  looked 
at  him  for  some  seconds  in  considerable  amazement. 
That  he  should  have  mistaken  the  directions  I  was  giving 
him  and  attributed  them  to  any  cowardice,  was  too  insult- 
ing a  thought  to  bear ;  and  yet  how  otherwise  was  I  to 
understand  the  very  coarse  style  of  his  interruption  ? 

At  length,  my  temper  got  the  victory,  and,  with  a  voice 
of  most  measured  calmness,  I  said,  *'  Major  O'Shaugh- 
nessy, I  am  grateful,  most  deeply  grateful,  for  the  part 
you  have  acted  towards  me  in  this  difficult  business ;  at 
the  same  time,  as  you  now  appear  to  disapprove  of  my 
conduct  and  bearing,  when  I  am  most  firmly  determined 
to  alter  nothing,  I  shall  beg  to  relieve  you  of  the  unpleasant 
office  of  my  friend." 

"  Heaven  grant  that  you  could  do  so !  '*  said  he,  inter- 
rupting me,  while  his  clasped  hands  and  eager  look 
attested  the  vehemence  of  the  wish.  He  paused  for  a 
moment ;  then,  springing  from  his  chair,  rushed  towards 
me,  and  threw  his  arms  around  me.  "  No,  my  boy,  I 
can't  do  it — I  can't  do  it.  I  have  tried  to  bully  myself  into 
insensibility  for  this  evening's  work — I  have  endeavoured 
to  be  rude  to  you,  that  you  might  insult  me,  and  steel  my 
heart  against  what  might  happen :  but  it  won't  do,  Charley ; 
it  won't  do." 

With  these  words  the  big  tears  rolled  down  his  stern 
cheeks,  and  his  voice  became  thick  with  emotion. 

"  But  for  me,  all  this  need  not  have  happened.  I  know 
it — I  feel  it.  I  hurried  on  this  meeting ;  your  character 
stood  fair  and  unblemished  without  that — at  least  they 
tell  me  so  now ;  and  I  still  have  to  assure  you " 

"  Come,  my  dear,  kind  friend,  don't  give  way  in  this 


ALL   EIGHT.  431 

fashion.  You  have  stood  manfully  by  me  through  every 
step  of  the  road ;  don't  desert  me  on  the  threshold 
oi " 

"  The  grave,  0*Malley  P  " 

"  I  don't  think  so,  Major ;  but  see,  half-past  six  I  Look 
to  these  pistols  for  me.  Are  they  likely  to  object  to  hair- 
triggers  ?  " 

A  knocking  at  the  door  turned  off  our  attention,  and 
the  next  moment  Baker's  voice  was  heard. 

"  O'Malley,  you'll  be  close  run  for  time ;  the  meeting 
place  is  full  three  miles  from  this." 

I  seized  the  key  and  opened  the  door.  At  the  same 
instant,  O'Shaughnessy  rose  and  turned  towards  the  win- 
dow, holding  one  of  the  pistols  in  his  hand. 

"  Look  at  that,  Baker — what  a  sweet  tool  it  is ! "  said 
he,  in  a  voice  that  actually  made  me  start.  Not  a  trace 
of  his  late  excitement  remained ;  his  usually  dry,  half- 
humorous  manner  had  returned,  and  his  droll  features 
were  as  full  of  their  own  easy  devil-may-care  fun  as  ever. 

"  Here  comes  the  drag,"  said  Baker.  We  can  drive 
nearly  all  the  way,  unless  you  prefer  riding." 

"  Of  course  not.  Keep  your  hand  steady,  Charley,  and 
if  you  don't  bring  him  down  with  that  saw-handle,  you're 
not  your  uncle's  nephew." 

With  these  words  we  mounted  into  the  tax-cart,  and  set 
off  for  the  meeting  place. 


432  CHABLES  O'MALLEY. 


CHAPTER  LXIL 

THE  DUEL. 

A  SMALL  and  narrow  ravine  between  two  furze-coyered  dells 
led  to  the  open  space  where  the  meeting  had  been  arranged 
for.  As  we  reached  this,  therefore,  we  were  obliged  to 
descend  from  the  drag,  and  proceed  the  remainder  of  the 
way  afoot.  We  had  not  gone  many  yards  when  a  step 
was  heard  approaching,  and  the  next  moment  Beaufort 
appeared.  His  usually  easy  and  degagf  air  was  certainly 
tinged  with  somewhat  of  constraint ;  and,  though  his  soft 
voice  and  half  smile  were  as  perfect  as  ever,  a  slightly 
flurried  expression  about  the  lip,  and  a  quick  and  nervous 
motion  of  his  eyebrow,  bespoke  a  heart  not  completely  at 
ease.  He  lifted  his  foraging  cap  most  ceremoniously  to 
salute  us  as  we  came  up,  and,  casting  an  anxious  look  to 
see  if  any  others  were  following,  stood  quite  still. 

"  I  think  it  right  to  mention,  Major  O'Shaugbnessy," 
said  he,  in  a  voice  of  most  dulcet  sweetness,  "  that  I  am 
the  only  friend  of  Captain  Trevyllian  on  the  ground  ;  and, 
though  I  have  not  the  slightest  objection  to  Captain  Baker 
being  present,  1  hope  you  will  see  the  propriety  of  limit- 
ing the  witnesses  to  the  three  persons  now  here." 

"  Upon  my  conscience,  as  far  as  I  am  concerned,  or  my 
friend  either,  we  are  perfectly  indifferent  if  we  fight  before 
three  or  three  thousand.  In  Ireland  we  rather  like  a 
crowd." 

"  Of  course,  then,  as  you  see  no  objection  to  my  pro- 
position, I  may  count  upon  your  co-operation  in  the  event 
of  any  intrusion ;  I  mean,  that  while  we,  upon  our  sides, 
will  not  permit  any  of  our  friends  to  come  forward,  you 
will  equally  exert  yourself  with  yours." 

"  Here  we  are — Baker  and  myself — neither  more  nor  less: 
we  expect  no  one,  and  want  no  one ;  so  that  I  humbly  con- 
ceive all  the  preliminaries  you  are  talking  of  will  never  be 
required." 


THE    DUEL.  433 

Beaufort  tried  to  smile  and  bit  his  lips,  while  a  small 
red  spot  upon  his  cheek  spoke  that  some  deeper  feeling  of 
irritation  than  the  mere  careless  manner  of  the  Major 
could  account  for,  still  rankled  in  his  bosom.  We  now 
walked  on  without  speaking,  except  when  occasionally  some 
passing  observation  of  Beaufort  upon  the  fineness  of  the 
evening,  or  the  rugged  nature  of  the  road,  broke  the  si- 
lence. As  we  emerged  from  the  little  mountain  pass  into 
the  open  meadow  land,  the  tall  and  soldier-like  figure  of 
Trevyllian  was  the  first  object  that  presented  itself.  He 
was  standing  beside  a  little  stone  cross  that  stood  above  a 
holy  well,  and  seemed  occupied  in  deciphering  the  in- 
scription. He  turned  at  the  noise  of  our  approach,  and 
calmly  waited  our  coming.  His  eye  glanced  quickly  from 
the  features  of  O'Shaughnessy  to  those  of  Baker ;  but, 
seeming  rapidly  reassured  as  he  walked  forward,  his  face 
at  once  recovered  its  usual  severity  and  its  cold,  impassive 
look  of  sternness. 

"  All  right ! "  said  Beaufort  in  a  whisper,  the  tones  of 
which  I  overheard  as  he  drew  near  to  his  friend.  Tre- 
vyllian smiled  in  return,  but  did  not  speak.  During  the 
few  moments  which  passed  in  conversation  between  the 
seconds,  I  turned  from  the  spot  with  Baker,  and  had  scar- 
cely time  to  address  a  question  to  him,  when  O'Shangh- 
nessy  called  out,  "  Holla,  Baker  1 — come  here  a  moment !" 
The  three  seemed  now  in  eager  discussion  for  some  min- 
utes, when  Baker  walked  towards  Trevyllian,  and  saying 
something,  appeared  to  wait  for  his  reply.  This  being 
obtained,  he  joined  the  others,  and  the  moment  afterwards 
came  to  where  I  was  standing.  "  You  are  to  toss  for  first 
shot,  O'Malley.  O'Shaughnessy  has  made  that  propos- 
ition, and  the  others  agree  that  with  two  crack  marksmen, 
it  is  perhaps  the  fairest  way.  I  suppose  you  have  no  ob- 
jection ?  " 

"  Of  course,  I  shall  make  none.  Whatever  O'Shaugh- 
nessy decides  for  me  I  am  ready  to  abide  by." 

"  Well,  then,  as  to  the  distance?"  said  Beaufort,  loud 
enough  to  be  heard  by  me  where  I  was  standing. 
O'Shaughnessy's  reply  I  could  not  catch,  but  it  was  evi- 
dent, from  the  tone  of  both  parties,  that  some  difference 
existed  on  the  point. 

"  Captain  Baker  shall  decide  between  us,"  said  Beaufort 


434  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

at  length,  and  they  all  walked  away  to  some  distance, 
During  all  the  while  I  could  perceive  that  Trevyllian'a 
uneasiness  and  impatience  seemed  extreme — he  looked 
from  the  speakers  to  the  little  mountain  pass,  and  strained 
his  eyes  in  every  direction.  It  was  clear  that  he  dreaded 
some  interruption.  At  last,  unable  any  longer  to  control 
his  feelings,  he  called  out, "  Beaufort,  I  say,  what  the  devil 
are  we  waiting  for  now  ?  " 

"  Nothing  at  present,"  said  Beaufort,  as  he  came  forward 
with  a  dollar  in  his  hand.  "  Come,  Major  O'Shaughnessy, 
you  shall  call  for  your  friend." 

He  pitched  the  piece  of  money  as  he  spoke  high  into 
the  air,  and  watched  it  as  it  fell  on  the  soft  grass  beneath. 

"  Head  !  for  a  thousand,"  cried  O'Shaughnessy,  running 
over  and  stooping  down  ;  "  and  heati  it  is  !  " 

"  You've  won  the  first  shot,"  whispered  Baker ;  "  for 
Heaven's  sake  be  cool !  " 

Beaufort  grew  deadly  pale  as  he  bent  over  the  crown 
piece,  and  seemed  scarcely  to  have  courage  to  look  his 
friend  in  the  face.  Not  so  Trevyllian ;  he  pulled  off  his 
gloves  without  the  slightest  semblance  of  emotion,  but- 
toned tip  his  well-fitting  black  frock  to  the  throat,  and 
throwing  a  rapid  glance  around,  seemed  only  eager  to 
begin  the  combat. 

"  Fifteen  paces,  and  the  words  '  One — two  ! '  ** 

"  Exactly.     My  cane  shall  mark  that  spot." 

"Devilish  long  paces  you  make  them,"  said  O'Shaugh- 
nessy, who  did  not  seem  to  approve  of  the  distance. 
"  They  have  some  confounded  advantage  in  this,  depend 
upon  it,"  said  the  Major,  in  a  whisper  to  Baker. 

"  Are  you  ready  ?  "  inquired  Beaufort. 

"  Beady — quite  ready  !  " 

"  Take  your  ground,  then ! " 

As  Trevyllian  moved  forward  to  his  place,  he  muttered 
something  to  his  friend.  I  did  not  hear  the  first  part,  but 
the  latter  words  which  met  me  were  ominous  enough, — 
"  for  as  I  intend  to  shoot  him,  'tis  just  as  well  as  it  is." 

Whether  this  was  meant  to  be  overheard  and  intimidate 
me  I  knew  not ;  but  its  effect  proved  directly  opposite. 
My  firm  resolution  to  hit  my  antagonist  was  now  con- 
firmed, and  no  compunctious  visitings  unnerved  my  arm. 
As  we  took  our  places  some  little  delay  again  took  place, 


THE  DUEL.  435 

the  flint  of  my  pistol  having  fallen  ;  and  thus  we  remained 
full  ten  or  twelve  seconds  steadily  regarding  each  other 
At  length,  O'Shanghnessy  came  forward,  and,  putting  my 
weapon  in  my  hand,  whispered  low, "  Bemember,  you  have 
but  one  chance." 

"  You  are  both  ready  ?  "  cried  Beaufort. 

«  Ready ! " 

"  Then,  One— two " 

The  last  word  was  lost  in  the  report  of  my  pistol,  which 
went  off  at  the  instant.  For  a  second,  the  flash  and  smoke 
obstructed  my  view  ;  but  the  moment  after  I  saw  Trevyl- 
lian  stretched  upon  the  ground,  with  his  friend  kneeling 
beside  him.  My  first  impulse  was  to  rush  over,  for  now 
all  feeling  of  enmity  was  buried  in  most  heartfelt  anxiety 
for  his  fate  ;  but  as  I  was  stepping  forward,  O'Shaughnessy 
called  out,  "  Stand  fast,  boy,  he's  only  wounded !  "  and  the 
same  moment  he  rose  slowly  from  the  ground,  with  the 
assistance  of  his  friend,  and  looked  with  the  same  wild 
gaze  around  him.  Such  a  look  1  I  shall  never  forget  it ; 
there  was  that  intense  expression  of  searching  anxiety,  as 
if  he  sought  to  trace  the  outlines  of  some  visionary  spirit 
as  it  receded  before  him :  quickly  reassured,  aa  it  seemed 
by  the  glance  he  threw  on  all  sides,  his  countenance 
lighted  up,  not  with  pleasure,  but  with  a  fiendish  expres- 
sion of  revengeful  triumph,  which  even  his  voice  evinced 
as  he  called  out, — "  It's  my  turn  now." 

I  felt  the  words  in  their  full  force,  as  I  stood  silently 
awaiting  my  death  wound.  The  pause  was  a  long  one. 
Twice  did  he  interrupt  his  friend,  as  he  was  about  to  give 
the  word,  by  an  expression  of  suffering,  pressing  his  hand 
upon  his  side,  and  seeming  to  writhe  with  torture ;  and 
yet  this  was  mere  counterfeit. 

O'Shaughnessy  was  now  coming  forward  to  interfere 
and  prevent  these  interruptions,  when  Trevyllian  called 
out  in  a  firm  tone,  "  I'm  ready  !  "  The  words  "  One — 
two  ! "  the  pistol  slowly  rose,  his  dark  eye  measured  me 
coolly,  steadily  ;  his  lip  curled,  and  just  as  I  felt  that  my 
last  moment  of  life  had  arrived,  a  heavy  sound  of  a  horse 
galloping  along  the  rocky  causeway  seemed  to  take  off  his 
attention.  His  frame  trembled,  his  hand  shook,  and 
jerking  upwards  his  weapon,  the  ball  passed  high  above 
tny  head. 


436  CHARLES  O'MALLET. 

"  You  bear  me  witness  I  fired  in  the  air,"  said  Trevyl- 
lian,  while  the  large  drops  of  perspiration  rolled  from  his 
forehead,  and  his  features  worked,  as  if  in  a  tit. 

"  You  saw  it,  sir ;  and  you,  Beaufort,  my  friend, — you 
also.  Speak  !  Why  will  you  not  speak  ?  " 

"  Be  calm,  Trevyllian ;  be  calm,  for  Heaven's  sake ! 
What's  the  matter  with  you  ?  " 

"  The  affair  is  then  ended,"  said  Baker,  "  and  most 
happily  so.  You  are,  [  hope,  not  dangerously  wounded." 

As  he  spoke,  Trevyllian's  features  grew  deadly  livid ; 
his  half-open  mouth  quivered  slightly  ;  his  eyes  became 
fixed,  and  his  arm  dropped  heavily  beside  him,  and  with  a 
low  moan  he  fell  fainting  to  the  ground. 

As  we  bent  over  him  1  now  perceived  that  another  per- 
son had  joined  our  party ;  he  was  a  short,  determined- 
looking  man  of  about  forty,  with  black  eyes  and  aquiline 
ieatures.  Before  I  had  time  to  guess  who  it  might  be,  I 
heard  O'Shaughnessy  address  him  as  Colonel  Conyers. 

"He  is  dying!"  said  Beaufort,  still  stooping  over  his 
friend,  whose  cold  hand  he  grasped  within  his  own.  Poor, 
poor  fellow ! " 

"  Ke  fired  in  the  air,"  said  Baker,  as  he  spoke  in  reply 
to  a  question  from  Conyers. 

What  he  answered  I  heard  not,  but  Baker  rejoined, 

"  Yes,  I  am  certain  of  it.     We  all  saw  it." 

"  Had  you  not  better  examine  his  wounds  ?  '*  said 
Conyers,  in  a  tone  of  sarcastic  irony  I  could  almost  have 
struck  him  for.  "  Is  your  friend  not  hit  ?  Perhaps  he  is 
bleeding." 

"  Yes,"  said  O'Shaughnessy,  "  let  us  look  to  the  poor 
fellow  now."  So  saying,  with  Beanfort's  aid  he  un- 
buttoned his  frock  and  succeeded  in  opening  the  waistcoat. 
There  was  no  trace  of  blood  anywhere,  and  the  idea  of 
internal  hemorrhage  at  once  occurred  to  us ;  when  Conyers, 
stooping  down,  pushed  me  aside,  saying  at  the  same  time, 
"  Your  fears  for  his  safety  need  not  distress  yon  much — 
look  here ! "  As  he  spoke,  he  tore  open  his  shirt,  and  dis- 
closed to  our  almost  doubting  senses  a  vest  of  chain  mail 
armour  fitting  close  next  the  skin  and  completely  pistol 
proof. 

I  cannot  describe  the  effect  this  sight  produced  upon  us. 
Beaufort  sprang  to  his  feet  with  a  bound  as  he  screamed 


THE   DUEL.  437 

oat,  rather  than  spoke,  "  No  man  believes  me  to  have 
been  aware " 

"  No,  no,  Beaufort;  your  reputation  is  very  far  removed 
from  such  a  stain,"  said  Conyers. 

O'Shaughnessy  was  perfectly  speechless.  He  looked 
from  one  to  the  other,  as  though  some  unexplained  mystery 
still  remained,  and  only  seemed  restored  to  any  sense  of 
consciousness  as  Baker  said,  "  I  can  feel  no  pulse  at  his 
wrist — his  heart,  too,  does  not  beat."  Conyers  placed  his 
hand  upon  his  bosom,  then  felt  along  his  throat,  lifted  up 
an  arm,  and,  letting  it  fall  heavily  upon  the  ground,  he 
muttered,  "  He  is  dead  !  " 

It  was  true.  No  wound  had  pierced  him — the  pistol 
bullet  was  found  within  his  clothes.  Some  tremendous 
conflict  of  the  spirit  within  had  snapped  the  chorda  of 
life,  and  the  strong  man  had  perished  in  his  agony. 


438  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 


CHAPTER  LXIIL 

NEWS   FROM   GAIWAT. 

I  HAVE  but  a  vague  and  most  imperfect  recollection  of  the 
events  which  followed  this  dreadful  scene  ;  for  some  days 
my  faculties  seemed  stunned  and  paralyzed,  and  my 
thoughts  clung  to  the  minute  detail  of  the  ground — the 
persons  about — the  mountain  path — and,  most  of  all,  the 
half-stifled  cry  that  spoke  the  broken  heart,  with  a  tenacity 
that  verged  upon  madness. 

A  court-martial  was  appointed  to  inquire  into  the  affair : 
and  although  I  have  been  since  told  that  my  deportment 
was  calm,  and  my  answers  were  firm  and  collected,  yet  I 
remember  nothing  of  the  proceedings. 

The  inquiry,  through  a  feeling  of  delicacy  for  the  friends 
of  him  who  was  no  more,  was  made  as  brief  and  as  private  as 
possible.  Beaufort  proved  the  facts  which  exonerated  me 
from  any  imputation  in  the  matter ;  and  upon  the  same 
day  the  court  delivered  the  decision,  "  that  Lieutenant 
O'Malley  was  not  guilty  of  the  charges  preferred  against 
him,  and  that  he  should  be  released  from  arrest,  and  join 
his  regiment." 

Nothing  could  be  moro  land  and  considerate  than  the 
conduct  of  my  brother  omcers ;  a  hundred  little  plans  and 
devices  for  making  me  forget  the  late  unhappy  event  were 
suggested  and  practised  ;  and  I  look  back  to  that  melan- 
choly period,  marked,  as  it  was,  by  the  saddest  circum- 
stance of  my  life,  as  one  in  which  I  received  more  of  truly 
friendly  companionship  than  even  my  palmiest  days  of 
prosperity  boasted. 

While,  therefore,  I  deeply  felt  the  good  part  my  frienda 
were  performing  towards  me,  I  was  still  totally  unsuited 
to  join  in  the  happy  current  of  their  daily  pleasures  and 
amusements.  The  gay  and  unreflecting  character  of 
O'Shaughnessy — the  careless  merriment  of  my  brother 
omcers — jarred,  upon  my  nerves,  and  rendered  me  irritable 


NEWS   FROM   GALWAY.  .         489 

and  excited:  and  I  sought,  in  lonely  rides  and  unfre- 
quented walks,  the  peace  of  spirit  that  calm  reflection,  and 
a  firm  purpose  for  the  future,  rarely  fail  to  lead  to. 

There  is  in  deep  sorrow  a  touch  of  the  prophetic.  It  is 
at  seasons  when  the  heart  is  bowed  down  with  grief,  and 
the  spirit  wasted  with  suffering,  that  the  veil  which  con- 
ceals the  future  seems  to  be  removed,  and  a  glance,  short 
and  fleeting  as  the  lightning  flash,  is  permitted  us  into 
the  gloomy  valley  before  us. 

Misfortunes,  too,  come  not  singly — the  seared  heart  is 
not  suffered  to  heal  from  one  affliction,  ere  another  succeeds 
it;  and  this  anticipation  of  the  coming  evil  is,  perhaps, 
one  of  the  most  poignant  features  of  grief — the  ever 
watchful  apprehension — the  ever  rising  question,  "  What 
next  ?  "  is  a  torture  that  never  sleeps. 

This  was  the  frame  of  my  mind  for  several  days  after  I 
returned  to  my  duty, — a  morbid  sense  of  some  threatened 
danger  being  my  last  thought  at  night,  and  my  first  on 
awakening.  I  had  not  heard  from  home  since  my  arrival 
in  the  Peninsula :  a  thousand  vague  fancies  haunted  me 
now  that  some  brooding  misfortune  awaited  me.  My  poor 
uncle  never  left  my  thoughts.  Was  he  well, — was  he 
happy  ?  Was  he,  as  he  ever  used  to  be,  surrounded  by  the 
friends  he  loved, — the  old  familiar  faces,  around  the  hos- 
pitable hearth  his  kindliness  had  hallowed  in  my  memory 
as  something  sacred  ?  Oh  !  could  I  but  see  his  manly  smile, 
or  hear  his  voice !  Could  I  but  feel  his  hand  upon  my  head, 
as  he  was  wont  to  press  it,  while  words  of  comfort  fell 
from  his  lips,  and  sunk  into  my  heart  1 

Such  were  my  thoughts  one  morning  as  I  sauntered, 
unaccompanied,  from  my  quarters.  I  had  not  gone  far, 
•when  my  attention  was  aroused  by  the  noise  of  a  mule- 
cart,  whose  jingling  bells  and  clattering  timbers  announced 
its  approach  by  the  road  I  was  walking.  Another  turn  of 
the  way  brought  it  into  view ;  and  I  saw  from  the  gay 
costume  of  the  driver,  as  well  as  a  small  orange  flag  which 
decorated  the  conveyance,  that  it  was  the  mail-cart,  with 
letters  from  Lisbon. 

Full  as  my  mind  was  with  thoughts  of  home,  I  turned 
hastily  back,  and  retracted  my  steps  towards  the  camp. 
When  I  reached  the  Adjutant-General's  quarters,  I  found 
a  considerable  number  of  officers  assembled  ;  the  report 


440       .  CHAELES  O'MALLEY. 

that  the  post  had  come  was  a  rumour  of  interest  to  all, 
and,  accordingly,  every  moment  brought  fresh  arrivals, 
pouring  in  from  all  sides,  and  eagerly  inquiring  *'  if  the 
bags  had  been  opened  ?  "  The  scene  of  riot,  confusion, 
and  excitement,  when  that  event  did  take  place,  exceeded 
all  belief,  each  man  reading  his  letter  halt  aloud,  as  if  his 
private  affairs  and  domestic  concerns  must  interest  his 
neighbours,  amid  a  volley  of  exclamations  of  surprise, 
pleasure,  or  occasionally  anger,  as  the  intelligence  severally 
suggested, — the  disappointed  expectants  cursing  their  idle 
correspondents,  bemoaning  their  fate  about  remittances 
that  never  arrived,  or  drafts  never  honoured  ;  while  here 
and  there  some  public  benefactor,  with  an  outspread  Times 
or  Chronicle,  was  retailing  the  narrative  of  our  own  exploits 
in  the  Peninsula,  or  the  more  novel  changes  in  the  world 
of  politics,  since  we  left  England.  A  cross-fire  of  news 
and  London  gossip  ringing  on  every  side,  made  up  a  per- 
fect Babel,  most  difficult  to  form  an  idea  of.  The  jargon 
partook  of  every  accent  and  intonation  the  empire  boasts 
of,  and,  from  the  sharp  precision  of  the  North  Tweeder  to 
the  broad  done  of  Kerry,  every  portion,  almost  every 
county  of  Great  Britain,  had  its  representative.  Here  was 
a  Scotch  Paymaster,  in  a  lugubrious  tone,  detailing  to  his 
friend  the  apparently  not  over-welcome  news,  that  Mistress 
M'Elwain  had  just  been  safely  delivered  of  twins,  which, 
with  their  mother,  were  doing  as  well  as  possible.  Here 
an  eager  Irishman,  turning  over  the  pages  rather  than  read- 
ing his  letter,  while  he  exclaimed  to  his  friend, 

"  Oh,  the  devil  a  rap  she's  sent  me.  The  old  story  about 
runaway  tenants  and  distress  notices — sorrow  else  tenants 
seem  to  do  in  Ireland  than  run  away  every  half  year." 

A  little  apart  some  sentimental-looking  cockney  waa 
devouring  a  very  crossed  epistle,  which  he  pressed  to  his 
lips  whenever  any  one  looked  at  him  ;  while  a  host  of  others 
satisfied  themselves  by  reading  in  a  kind  of  buzzing  under 
tone,  every  now  and  then  interrupting  themselves  with 
some  broken  exclamation  as  commentary  —  such  as  "Of 
course  she  will !  " — "  Never  knew  him  better  I " — •*  That's 
the  girl  for  my  money ! "— "  Fifty  per  cent. — the  devil !  "— 
and  so  on.  At  last  I  was  beginning  to  weary  of  the  scene, 
and  finding  that  there  appeared  to  be  nothing  for  me,  wag 
turning  to  leave  the  place,  when  I  saw  a  group  of  two 


NEWS   FROM   OALWAY.  441 

or  three  endeavouring  to  spell  out  the  address  of  a 
letter. 

"  That's  an  Irish  post-mark,  I'll  swear,"  said  one ;  "  bnt 
who  can  make  anything  of  the  name  ?  It's  devilish  like 
Otaheite— isn't  it  ?  " 

"  I  wish  my  tailor  wrote  as  illegibly,"  said  another ; 
**  I'd  keep  np  a  most  animated  correspondence  with  him." 

"  Here,  O'Shaughnessy,  you  know  something  of  savage 
life — spell  us  this  word  here." 

"  Show  it  here— what  nonsense — it's  as  plain  as  the  nose 
on  my  face ! — 'Master  Charles  O'Malley,  in  foreign  parts ! '  ** 

A  roar  of  laughter  followed  this  announcement,  which, 
at  any  other  time,  perhaps,  I  should  have  joined  in,  but 
which  now  grated  sadly  on  my  ruffled  feelings. 

"  Here,  Charley,  this  is  for  you,"  said  the  Major ;  and 
added,  in  a  whisper — "  and  upon  my  conscience,  between 
ourselves,  your  friend,  whoever  he  is,  has  a  strong  action 
against  his  writing-master — devil  such  a  fist  ever  I  looked 
at!" 

One  glance  satisfied  me  as  to  my  correspondent.  It  was 
from  Father  Rush,  my  old  tutor.  I  hurried  eagerly  from 
the  spot, — and,  regaining  my  quarters,  locked  the  door, 
and  with  a  beating  heart  broke  the  seal  and  began,  as  well 
as  I  was  able,  to  decipher  his  letter.  The  hand  was  cramped 
and  stiffened  with  age,  and  the  bold  upright  letters  were 
gnarled  and  twisted  like  a  rustic  fence,  and  demanded  great 
patience  and  much  time  in  unravelling.  It  ran  thus  : 

"  The  Priory,  Lady-day,  1809. 

"  MY  DEAR  MASTER  CHARLES, — Your  uncle's  feet  are  so 
big  and  so  uneasy  that  he  can't  write,  and  I  am  obliged  to 
take  up  the  pen  myself,  to  tell  you  how  we  are  doing  here 
since  you  left  us.  And,  first  of  all,  the  master  lost  the 
law-suit  in  Dublin,  all  for  the  want  of  a  Gralway  jury ; 
but  they  don't  go  up  to  town  for  strong  reasons  they  had ; 
and  the  Curranolick  property  is  gone  to  Ned  M'Manus, 
and  may  the  devil  do  him  good  with  it  I  Peggy  Maher 
left  this  on  Tuesday ;  she  was  complaining  of  a  weakness  ; 
she's  gone  to  consult  the  doctors.  I'm  sorry  for  poor 
Peggy. 

"  Owen  M'Neil  beat  the  Slatterys  out  of  Portumna  on 


442  CHARLES  O'MALLET. 

Saturday,  and  Jem,  they  say,  is  fractured.  I  trust  it's 
true,  for  he  never  was  good,  root  nor  branch,  and  we've 
strong  reasons  to  suspect  him  for  drawing  the  river  with 
a  net  at  night.  Sir  Harry  Boyle  sprained  his  wrist, 
breaking  open  his  bed-room,  that  he  locked  when  he  was 
inside.  The  Count  and  the  master  were  laughing  all  the 
evening  at  him.  Matters  are  going  very  hard  in  the 
country;  the  people  paying  their  rents  regularly,  and 
not  caring  half  as  much  as  they  used  about  the  real  gentry 
and  the  old  families. 

"  We  kept  your  birthday  at  the  Castle  in  great  style, 
had  the  militia  band  from  the  town,  and  all  the  tenants. 
Mr.  James  Daly  danced  with  your  old  friend  Mary  Green, 
and  sang  a  beautiful  song,  and  was  going  to  raise  the 
devil,  but  I  interfered ;  he  burnt  down  half  the  blue 
drawing-room  the  last  night  with  his  tricks ;  not  that 
your  uncle  cares,  God  preserve  him  to  us ! — it's  little 
anything  like  that  would  fret  him.  The  Count  quarrelled 
with  a  young  gentleman  in  the  course  of  the  evening,  but 
found  out  that  he  was  only  an  attorney  from  Dublin,  so 
he  didn't  shoot  him,  but  he  was  ducked  in  the  pond  by 
the  people,  and  your  uncle  says  he  hopes  they  have  a  true 
copy  of  him  at  home,  as  they'll  never  know  the  original. 

"  Peter  died  soon  after  you  went  away,  but  Tim  hunts 
the  dogs  just  as  well;  they  had  a  beautiful  run  last 
Wednesday,  and  the  Lord*  sent  for  him  and  gave  him  a 
five-pound  note;  but  he  says  he'd  rather  see  yourself 
back  again  than  twice  as  much.  They  killed  near  the 
big  turnip  field,  and  all  went  down  to  see  where  you 
leaped  Badger  over  the  sunk  fence ;  they  call  it  '  Ham- 
mersley's  Nose'  ever  since.  Bodkin  was  at  Ballinasloe 
the  last  fair,  limping  about  with  a  stick  ;  he's  twice  as 
quiet  as  he  used  to  be,  and  never  beat  any  one  since  that 
morning. 

"Nelly  Guire  at  the  cross-roads,  wants  to  send  you 
four  pair  of  stockings  she  knitted  for  you ;  and  I  have  a 
keg  of  potteen  of  Barney's  own  making  this  two  months, 
not  knowing  how  to  send  it ;  may  be  Sir  Arthur  himself 
would  like  a  taste;  he's  an  Irishman  himself,  and  one 

*  To  excuse  Father  Bush  for  any  apparent  impiety,  I  most  add,  that 
by  the  "Lord,"  he  means  "Lord  Clanricarde." 


NEWS   FROM   OALWAY.  443 

we're  proud  of  too !  The  Maynooth  chaps  are  flying  all 
about  the  country,  and  making  us  all  uncomfortable—- 
God's will  be  done,  but  we  used  to  think  ourselves  good 
enough !  Your  foster  sister,  Kitty  Doolan,  had  a  fine 
boy ;  it's  to  be  called  after  you,  and  your  uncle's  to  give 
a  christening.  He  bids  me  tell  you  to  draw  on  him  when 
you  want  money,  and  that  there's  £400  ready  for  you  now 
somewhere  in  Dublin,  I  forget  the  name,  and  as  he's  asleep 
I  don't  like  asking  him.  There  was  a  droll  devil  down 
here  in  the  summer  that  knew  you  well — a  Mr.  Webber. 
The  master  treated  him  like  the  Lord  Lieutenant ;  had 
dinner  parties  for  him,  aiul  gave  him  Oliver  Cromwell  to 
ride  over  to  Meelish.  He  is  expected  again  for  the  cock- 
shooting,  for  the  master  likes  him  greatly.  I'm  done  at 
last,  for  my  paper  is  finished  and  the  candle  just  out ;  so 
with  every  good  wish  and  every  good  thought,  remember 
your  own  old  friend, 

"  PETEB  RUSH. 

•*  P. S.— It's  Smart  and  Sykes,  Fleet  Street,  has  the 
money.  Father  O'Shaughnessy,  of  Ennis,  bids  me  ask 
if  your  ever  met  his  nephew.  If  you  do,  make  him  sing 
'  Larry  M'Hale.'  I  hear  it's  a  treat. 

"  How  is  Mickey  Free  going  on?  There  are  three 
decent  young  women  in  the  parish  he  promised  to  marry, 
and  I  suppose  he's  pursuing  the  same  game  with  the  Por- 
tuguese. But  he  was  never  remarkable  for  minding  his 
duties.  Tell  him  I  am  keeping  my  eye  on  him. 

"  P.  R." 

Here  concluded  this  long  epistle,  and,  though  there 
were  many  parts  1  could  not  help  smiling  at,  yet  upon  the 
whole,  I  felt  sad  and  disappointed.  What  I  had  long  fore- 
seen and  anticipated  was  gradually  accomplishing — the 
wreck  of  an  old  and  honoured  house — the  fall  of  a  name 
once  the  watch-word  for  all  that  was  benevolent  and  hos- 
pitable in  the  land.  The  termination  of  the  lawsuit  I 
knew  must  have  been  a  heavy  blow  to  my  poor  uncle, 
who,  every  consideration  of  money  apart,  felt  in  a  legal 
combat  all  the  enthusiasm  and  excitement  of  a  personal 
conflict.  With  him,  there  was  less  a  question  of  to  whom 
the  broad  acres  reverted,  so  much  as  whether  thai 


444  CHARLES  O'MALLBT. 

'*  scoundrel  Tom  Basset,  the  attorney  at  Athlone,  should 
triumph  over  us ;"  os,  "  M'Manus  live  in  the  house  as 
master,  where  his  father  had  officiated  as  butler."  It  was 
at  this  his  Irish  pride  took  offence ;  and  straitened  cir- 
cumstances and  narrowed  fortunes  bore  little  upon  him  in 
comparison  with  this  feeling. 

I  could  see,  too,  that  with  breaking  fortunes,  bad  health 
was  making  heavy  inroads  upon  him  ;  and  while,  with  the 
reckless  desperation  of  ruin,  he  still  kept  open  house,  I 
could  picture  to  myself  his  cheerful  eye  and  handsome 
smile,  but  ill  concealing  the  slow  but  certain  march  of  a 
broken  heart. 

My  position  was  doubly  painful ;  for  my  advice,  had  I 
been  calculated  to  give  it,  would  have  seemed  an  act  of 
indelicate  interference  from  one  who  was  to  benefit  by  his 
own  counsel ;  and,  although  I  had  been  reared  and  edu- 
cated as  my  uncle's  heir,  I  had  no  title  nor  pretension  to 
succeed  him  other  than  his  kind  feelings  respecting  me. 
I  could,  therefore,  only  look  on  in  silence,  and  watch  the 
painful  progress  of  our  downfall,  without  a  power  to 
arrest  it. 

These  were  sad  thoughts,  and  came  when  my  heart  was 
already  bowed  down  with  its  affliction.  That  my  poor 
uncle  might  be  spared  the  misery  which  sooner  or  later 
beemed  inevitable,  was  now  my  only  wish  ;  that  he  might 
go  down  to  the  grave  without  the  embittering  feelings 
which  a  ruined  fortune  and  a  fallen  house  bring  home  to 
the  heart,  was  all  my  prayer.  Let  him  but  close  his  eyes 
in  the  old  wainscoted  bedroom,  beneath  the  old  roof  where 
his  fathers  and  grandfathers  have  done  so  for  centuries. 
Let  the  faithful  followers  he  has  known  since  his  childhood 
stand  round  his  bed ;  while  his  fast-failing  sight  recognizes 
each  old  and  well-remembered  object,  and  the  same  bell 
which  rang  its  farewell  to  the  spirit  of  his  ancestors,  toll 
for  him,  the  last  of  his  race — and,  as  for  me,  there  was  the 
wide  world  before  me,  and  a  narrow  resting-place  would 
suffice  for  a  soldier's  sepulchre. 

As  the  mail-cart  was  returning  the  next  day  to  Lisbon, 
I  immediately  sat  down  and  replied  to  the  worthy  Father's 
letter,  speaking  as  encouragingly  as  I  could  of  my  own 
prospects.  I  dwelt  much  upon  what  was  nearest  my 
heart,  and  begged  of  the  good  priest  to  watch  over  my 


NEWS   FROM   GALWAY.  445 

uncle's  health,  to  cheer  his  spirits,  and  support  his  courage ; 
and  that  I  trusted  the  day  was  not  far  distant  when  I 
should  be  once  more  amongst  them,  with  many  a  story  of 
fray  and  battle-field  to  enliven  their  firesides.  Pressing 
him  to  write  frequently  to  me,  I  closed  my  hurried  letter ; 
and,  having  despatched  it,  sat  sorrowfully  down  to  muse 
over  my  fortunes. 


CHAPTER  LXTV. 

A*   ADYENTURB   WITH   SIB   ARTHUR. 

THE  events  of  the  last  few  days  had  impressed  me  with  a 
weight  of  years.  The  awful  circumstances  of  that  evening 
lay  heavily  at  my  heart,  and  though  guiltless  of  Trevyllian's 
blood,  the  reproach  that  conscience  ever  carries,  when 
one  has  been  involved  in  a  death-scene,  never  left  my 
thoughts. 

For  some  time  previously  I  had  been  depressed  and 
dispirited,  and  the  awful  shock  I  had  sustained  broke  my 
nerve  and  unmanned  me  greatly. 

There  are  times  when  our  sorrows  tinge  all  the  colour- 
ings of  our  thoughts,  and  one  pervading  hue  of  melancholy 
spreads  like  a  pall  upon  what  we  have  of  fairest  and 
brightest  on  earth.  So  was  it  now  ;  I  had  lost  hope  and 
ambition — a  sad  feeling  that  my  career  was  destined  to 
misfortune  and  mishap  gained  hourly  upon  me ;  and  all 
the  bright  aspirations  of  a  soldier's  glory,  all  my  enthu- 
siasm for  the  pomp  and  circumstance  of  glorious  war,  fell 
coldly  upon  my  heart ;  and  I  looked  upon  the  chivalry  of 
a  soldier's  life  as  the  empty  pageant  of  a  dream. 

In  this  sad  frame  of  mind  I  avoided  all  intercourse  with 
my  brother  officers — their  gay  and  joyous  spirits  only 


446  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

jarred  upon  my  brooding  thoughts,  and,  feigning  illness,  1 
kept  almost  entirely  to  my  quarters. 

The  inactivity  of  our  present  life  weighed  also  heavily 
upon  me.  The  stirring  events  of  a  campaign — the  march, 
the  bivouac,  the  picket — call  forth  a  certain  physical  exer- 
tion that  never  fails  to  react  upon  the  torpid  mind. 

Forgetting  all  around  me,  I  thought  of  home  ;  I  thought 
of  those  whose  hearts  I  felt  were  now  turning  towards  me, 
and  considered  within  myself  how  I  could  have  exchanged 
the  home — the  days  of  peaceful  happiness  there,  for  the 
life  of  misery  and  disappointment  I  now  endured. 

A  brooding  melancholy  gained  daily  more  and  more 
upon  me.  A  wish  to  return  to  Ireland,  a  vague  and  indis- 
tinct feeling  that  my  career  was  not  destined  for  aught  of 
great  and  good,  crept  upon  me,  and  I  longed  to  sink  into 
oblivion,  forgotten  and  forgot. 

I  record  this  painful  feeling  here,  while  it  is  still  a  pain- 
ful memory,  as  one  of  the  dark  shadows  that  cross  the 
bright  sky  of  our  happiest  days. 

Happy,  indeed,  are  they,  as  we  look  back  to  them,  and 
remember  the  times  we  have  pronounced  ourselves  "  the 
most  miserable  of  mankind."  This  somehow  is  a  confes- 
sion we  never  make  later  on  in  life,  when  real  troubles  and 
true  afflictions  assail  us.  Whether  we  call  in  more  philoso- 
phy to  our  aid,  or  that  our  senses  become  less  acute  and 
discerning,  I'm  sure  I  know  not. 

As  for  me,  I  confess  by  far  the  greater  portion  of  my 
sorrows  seemed  to  come  in  that  budding  period  of  exist- 
ence  when  life  is  ever  fairest  and  most  captivating.  Not, 
perhaps,  that  the  fact  was  really  so,  but  the  spoiled  and 
humoured  child,  whose  caprices  were  a  law,  felt  heavily 
the  threatening  difficulties  of  his  first  voyage.  While,  aa 
he  continued  to  sail  over  the  ocean  of  life,  he  braved  the 
storm  and  the  squall,  and  felt  only  gratitude  for  the 
favouring  breeze  that  wafted  him  upon  his  course. 

What  an  admirable  remedy  for  misanthropy  is  the  being 
placed  in  a  subordinate  condition  of  life  !  Had  I,  at  the 
period  that  I  write,  been  Sir  Arthur  Wellesley — had  I 
even  been  Marshal  Beresford,  to  all  certainty  I'd  have 
played  the  very  devil  with  his  Majesty's  forces. — I'd  have 
brought  my  rascals  to  where  they'd  have  been  well  pep- 
pered— that's  certain. 


AN   ADVENTURE   WITH   SIB  ARTHUR.  447 

But  as,  luckily  for  tlie  sake  of  humanity  in  general  and 
the  well-being  of  the  service  in  particular,  I  was  merely 
Lieutenant  O'Malley,  14th  Light  Dragoons,  the  case  was 
rery  different.  With  what  heavy  censure  did  I  condemn 
the  Commander  of  the  Forces  in  my  own  mind  for  his 
want  of  daring  and  enterprise !  Whole  nights  did  I  pass 
in  endeavouring  to  account  for  his  inactivity  and  lethargy. 
Why  did  he  not  seriatim  fall  upon  Soult,  Ney,  and  Victor, 
annihilate  the  French  forces,  and  sack  Madrid,  I  looked 
upon  as  little  less  than  a  riddle  ;  and  yet  there  he  waited, 
drilling,  exercising,  and  foraging,  as  if  we  were  at 
Hounslow.  Now  most  fortunately  here  again  I  was  not 
Sir  Arthur. 

Something  in  this  frame  of  mind,  I  was  taking  one 
evening  a  solitary  ride  some  miles  from  the  camp.  With- 
out noticing  the  circumstance,  I  had  entered  a  little 
mountain  tract,  when  the  ground  being  broken  and  uneven, 
I  dismounted  and  proceeded  a-foot,  with  the  bridle  within 
my  arm.  I  had  not  gone  far  when  the  clatter  of  a  horse's 
hoofs  came  rapidly  towards  me,  and,  though  there  was 
something  startling  in  the  pace  over  such  a  piece  of  road, 
I  never  lifted  my  eyes  as  the  horseman  came  np,  but  con- 
tinued my  slow  progress  onwards,  my  head  sunk  npon  my 
bosom. 

"  Holloa,  sir !  "  cried  a  sharp  voice,  whose  tones  seemed 
somehow  not  heard  for  the  first  time.  I  looked  up,  saw  a 
slight  figure  closely  buttoned  up  in  a  blue  horseman's 
cloak,  the  collar  of  which  almost  entirely  hid  his  features, 
he  wore  a  plain  cocked  nat  witnout  a  feather,  and  was 
mounted  upon  a  sharp,  wiry-looking  hack. 

"  Holloa,  sir  !     What  regiment  do  you  belong  to  ?  " 

As  I  had  nothing  of  the  soldier  about  me,  save  a  blue 
foraging  cap,  to  denote  my  corps,  the  tone  of  the  demand 
was  little  calculated  to  elicit  a  very  polished  reply ;  but 
preferring  as  was  most  impertinent  to  make  no  answer,  I 
passed  on  without  speaking. 

"  Did  you  hear,  sir  ?  "  cried  the  same  voice  in  a  still 
louder  key.  "  What's  your  regiment  ?  " 

I  now  turned  round,  resolved  to  question  the  other  in 
turn  ;  when,  to  my  inexpressible  shame  and  confusion  he 
had  lowered  the  collar  of  his  cloak,  and  I  saw  the  features 
of  Sir  Arthur  Wellesley. 


448  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

"  Fourteenth  Light  Dragoons,  sir,"  said  I,  blushing  as  I 
spoke. 

"  Have  you  not  read  the  general  order,  sir  ?  Why  have 
you  left  the  camp  ?  " 

Now  I  had  not  read  a  general  order  nor  even  heard  of 
one  for  above  a  fortnight.  So  I  stammered  out  some 
bungling  answer. 

w  To  your  quarters,  sir,  and  report  yourself  under  arrest. 
What's  your  name  ?  " 

"  Lieutenant  O'Malley,  sir/* 

"  Well,  sir,  your  passion  for  rambling  shall  be  indulged. 
You  shall  be  sent  to  the  rear  with  despatches ;  and  as  the 
army  is  in  advance,  probably  the  lesson  may  be  service- 
able.'* So  saying,  he  pressed  spurs  to  his  horse,  and  w&a 
out  of  sight  in  a  moment. 


449 


CHAPTER   LXV. 

TALATKRA. 

HAVING  been  despatched  to  the  rear  with  orders  for 
General  Craufurd,  I  did  not  reach  Talavera  till  the  morn- 
ing of  the  28th.  Two  days'  hard  fighting  had  left  the 
contending  armies  still  face  to  face,  and  without  any 
decided  advantage  on  either  side. 

When  I  arrived  upon  the  battle-field  the  combat  of  the 
morning  was  over.  It  was  then  ten  o'clock,  and  the 
troops  were  at  breakfast,  if  the  few  ounces  of  wheat,  spar- 
ingly dealt  out  amongst  them,  could  be  dignified  by  that 
name.  All  was,  however,  life  and  animation  on  every 
side ;  the  merry  laugh,  the  passing  jest,  the  careless  look, 
bespoke  the  free  and  daring  character  of  the  soldiery,  as 
they  sat  in  groups  upon  the  grass ;  and,  except  when  a 
fatigue  party  passed  by,  bearing  some  wounded  comrada 
to  the  rear,  no  touch  of  seriousness  rested  upon  their 
hardy  features.  The  morning  was  indeed  a  glorious  one  ; 
a  sky  of  unclouded  blue  stretched  above  a  landscape,  un- 
surpassed in  loveliness.  Far  to  the  right  rolled  on  in 
placid  stream  the  broad  Tagus,  bathing  in  its  eddies  the 
very  walls  of  Talavera,  the  ground  from  which,  to  our 
position,  gently  undulated  across  a  plain  of  most  fertile 
richness,  and  terminated  on  our  extreme  left  in  a  bold 
height,  protected  in  front  by  a  ravine,  and  flanked  by  a 
deep  and  rugged  valley. 

The  Spaniards  occupied  the  right  of  the  line,  connect- 
ing with  our  troops  at  a  rising  ground,  upon  which  a 
strong  redoubt  had  been  hastily  thrown  up.  The  fourth 
division  and  the  Guards  were  stationed  here,  next  to  whom 
came  Cameron's  brigade  and  the  Germans ;  Mackenzie  and 
Hill  holding  the  extreme  left  of  all,  which  might  be  called 
the  key  of  our  position.  In  the  valley  beneath  the  latter 
were  picketed  three  cavalry  regiments,  among  which  I 


450  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

was  not  long  in  detecting  my  gallant  friends  of  the 
Twenty- third. 

As  I  rode  rapidly  past,  saluting  some  old  familiar  face 
at  each  moment,  I  could  not  help  feeling  struck  at  the 
evidence  of  the  desperate  battle  that  so  lately  had  raged 
there.  The  whole  surface  of  the  hill  was  one  mass  of 
dead  and  dying,  the  bearskin  of  the  French  grenadier 
lying  side  by  side  with  the  tartan  of  the  highlander. 
Deep  furrows  in  the  soil  showed  the  track  of  the  furious 
cannonade,  and  the  terrible  evidences  of  a  bayonet  charge 
were  written  in  the  mangled  corpses  around. 

The  fight  had  been  maintained  without  any  intermission 
from  daybreak  till  near  nine  o'clock  that  morning,  and  the 
slaughter  on  both  sides  was  dreadful ;  the  mounds  of  fresh 
earth  on  every  side  told  of  the  soldier's  sepulchre,  and  the 
unceasing  tramp  of  the  pioneers  struck  sadly  upon  the  ear, 
as  the  groans  of  the  wounded  blended  with  the  funeral 
sounds  around  them. 

In  front  were  drawn  up  the  dark  legions  of  France  ; 
massive  columns  of  infantry,  with  dense  bodies  of  artillery 
alternating  along  the  line.  They,  too,  occupied  a  gently 
lising  ground ,  the  valley  between  the  two  armies  being 
crossed  half  way  by  a  little  rivulet,  and  here,  during  the 
sultry  heat  of  the  morning,  the  troops  on  both  sides  met 
and  mingled  to  quench  their  thirst  ere  the  trumpet  again 
called  them  to  the  slaughter. 

In  a  small  ravine,  near  the  centre  of  our  line,  were 
drawn  up  Cotton's  brigade,  of  whom  the  Fusiliers  formed 
a  part.  Directly  in  front  of  this  were  Campbell's  brigade, 
to  the  left  of  which,  upon  a  gentle  slope,  the  staff  were 
now  assembled.  Thither,  accordingly,  I  bent  my  steps, 
and,  as  I  came  up  the  little  scarp,  found  myself  among 
the  generals  of  division,  hastily  summoned  by  Sir  Arthur 
to  deliberate  upon  a  forward  movement.  The  council 
lasted  scarcely  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  and  when  I  presented 
myself  to  deliver  my  report,  all  the  dispositions  for  the 
battle  had  been  decided  upon,  and  the  Commander  of  the 
Forces,  seated  upon  the  grass  at  his  breakfast,  looked  by 
far  the  most  unconcerned  and  uninterested  man  I  had 
seen  that  morning. 

He  turned  his  head  rapidly  as  I  came  up,  and,  before 
the  aide-de-camp  could  announce  mo,  called  out : 


TALAVERA.  451 

"  Well,  sir,  what  news  of  the  reinforcements  ?  " 

*'  They  cannot  reach  Talavera  before  to-morrow,  sir." 

"  Then,  before  that  we  shall  not  want  them.  That  will 
do,  sir." 

So  saying,  he  resumed  his  breakfast,  and  I  retired,  more 
than  ever  struck  with  the  surprising  coolness  of  the  man 
upon  whom  no  disappointment  seemed  to  have  the  slightest 
influence. 

1  had  scarcely  rejoined  my  regiment,  and  was  giving 
an  account  to  my  brother  officers  of  my  journey,  when  an 
aide-de-camp  came  galloping  at  full  speed  down  the  line, 
and  communicating  with  the  several  commanding  officers 
as  he  passed. 

What  might  be  the  nature  of  the  orders  we  could  not 
guess  at ;  for  no  word  to  fall  in  followed,  and  yet  it  was 
evident  something  of  importance  was  at  hand.  Upon  the 
hill  where  the  staff  were  assembled  no  unusual  bustle 
appeared,  and  we  could  see  the  bay  cob  of  Sir  Arthur  still 
being  led  up  and  down  by  the  groom,  with  a  dragoon's 
mantle  thrown  over  him.  The  soldiers,  overcome  by  the 
heat  and  fatigue  of  the  morning,  lay  stretched  around 
upon  the  grass,  and  every  thing  bespoke  a  period  of  rest 
and  refreshment. 

"We  are  going  to  advance,  depend  upon  it!"  said  a 
young  officer  beside  me;  "the  repulse  of  this  morning 
has  been  a  smart  lesson  to  the  French,  and  Sir  Arthur 
won't  leave  them  without  impressing  it  upon  them." 

"  Hark,  what's  that  ?  "  cried  Baker ;  "  listen." 

As  he  spoke,  a  strain  of  most  delicious  music  came 
wafted  across  the  plain.  It  was  from  the  band  of  a 
French  regiment,  and,  mellowed  by  the  distance,  it  seemed, 
in  the  calm  stillness  of  the  morning  air,  like  something 
less  of  earth  than  heaven.  As  we  listened,  the  notes 
swelled  upwards  yet  fuller;  and  one  by  one  the  different 
bauds  seemed  to  join,  till  at  last  the  whole  air  seemed  full 
of  the  rich  flood  of  melody. 

We  could  now  perceive  the  stragglers  were  rapidly 
falling  back,  while  high  above  all  other  sounds  the 
clanging  notes  of  the  trumpet  were  heard  along;  the  line. 
The  hoarse  drum  now  beat  to  arms,  and  soon  after  a  bril- 
liant staff  rode  slowly  from  between  two  dense  bodies  of 
infantry,  and  advancing  some  distance  into  the  plain, 


452  CHABLES  O'MALLEY. 

seemed  to  reconnoitre  us.  A  cloud  of  Polish  cavalry,  dis- 
tinguished by  their  long  lances  and  floating  banners,  loit- 
ered in  their  rear. 

We  had  not  time  for  further  observation,  when  the 
drums  on  our  side  beat  to  arms,  and  the  hoarse  cry,  "  Fall 
in — fall  in  there,  lads  ! "  resounded  along  the  line. 

It  was  now  one  o'clock,  and  before  half  an  hour  the 
troops  had  resumed  the  position  of  the  morning,  and 
stood  silent  and  anxious  spectators  of  the  scene  before 
them. 

Upon  the  table  land,  to  the  rear  of  the  French  position, 
we  could  descry  the  gorgeous  tent  of  Bang  Joseph,  around 
which  a  large  and  splendidly-accoutred  staff  were  seen 
standing.  Here,  too,  the  bustle  and  excitement  seemed 
considerable,  for  to  this  point  the  dark  masses  of  the  in- 
fantry seemed  converging  from  the  extreme  right;  and 
here  we  could  perceive  the  royal  guards  and  the  reserve 
now  forming  in  column  of  attack. 

From  the  crest  of  the  hill  down  to  the  very  valley,  the 
dark,  dense  ranks  extended,  the  flanks  protected  by  a 
powerful  artillery  and  deep  masses  of  heavy  cavalry.  It 
was  evident  that  the  attack  was  not  to  commence  on  our 
side,  and  the  greatest  and  most  intense  anxiety  pervaded 
us  as  to  what  part  of  our  line  was  first  to  be  assailed. 

Meanwhile,  Sir  Arthur  Wellesley,  who  from  the  height 
had  been  patiently  observing  the  field  of  battle,  despatched 
an  aide-de-camp  at  full  gallop  towards  Campbell's  brigade 
posted  directly  in  advance  of  us.  As  he  passed  swiftly 
along  he  called  out,  "  You're  in  for  it,  14th ;  you'll  have 
to  open  the  ball  to-day." 

Scarcely  were  the  words  spoken,  when  a  signal  gun  from 
the  French  boomed  heavily  through  the  still  air.  The  last 
echo  was  growing  fainter,  and  the  heavy  smoke  breaking 
into  mist,  when  the  most  deafening  thunder  ever  my  ears 
heard  came  pealing  around  us  ;  eighty  pieces  of  artillery 
had  opened  upon  us,  sending  a  very  tempest  of  balls  upon 
our  line,  while  midst  the  smoke  and  dust  we  could  see  the 
light  troops  advancing  at  a  run,  followed  by  the  broad  and 
massive  columns  in  all  the  terror  and  majesty  of  war. 

"  What  a  splendid  attack  !  How  gallantly  they  come 
on  1 "  cried  an  old  veteran  officer  beside  me,  forgetting  all 
rivalry  in  his  noble  admiration  of  our  enemy. 


TALAVERA.  458 

The  intervening  space  was  soon  passed,  and  the  tirail- 
leurs falling  back  as  the  columns  came  on,  the  towering 
masses  bore  down  upon  Campbell's  division  with  a  loud 
cry  of  defiance.  Silently  and  steadily  the  English  infantry 
awaited  the  attack,  and  returning  the  fire  with  one  with- 
ering volley,  were  ordered  to  charge.  Scarcely  were  the 
bayonets  lowered,  when  the  head  of  the  advancing  column 
broke  and  fled,  while  Mackenzie's  brigade,  overlapping  the 
flank,  pushed  boldly  forward,  and  a  scene  of  frightful  car- 
nage followed ;  for  a  moment  a  hand  to  hand  combat  was 
sustained,  but  the  unbroken  files  and  impregnable  bayon- 
ets of  tne  English  conquered,  and  the  French  fled,  leaving 
six  guns  behind  them. 

The  gallant  enemy  were  troops  of  tried  and  proved 
courage,  and  scarcely  had  they  retreated  when  they  again 
formed,  but  just  as  they  prepared  to  come  forward,  a  tre- 
mendous shower  of  grape  opened  upon  them  from  our 
batteries,  while  a  cloud  of  Spanish  horse  assailed  them  in 
flank,  and  nearly  cut  them  in  pieces. 

While  this  was  passing  on  the  right,  a  tremendous 
attack  menaced  the  hill  upon  which  our  left  was  posted. 
Two  powerful  columns  of  French  infantry,  supported  by 
some  regiments  of  light  cavalry,  came  steadily  forward  to 
the  attack  ;  Anson's  brigade  were  ordered  to  charge. 

Away  they  went  at  top  speed,  but  had  not  gone  above 
a  hundred  yards  when  they  were  suddenly  arrested  by  a 
deep  chasm ;  here  the  German  hussars  pulled  short  up, 
but  the  23rd  dashing  impetuosuly  forward,  a  scene  of  ter- 
rific carnage  ensued,  men  and  horses  rolled  indiscrimin- 
ately together  under  a  withering  fire  from  the  French 
squares.  Even  here,  however,  British  valour  quailed  not, 
for  Major  Francis  Ponsonby,  forming  all  who  came  up, 
rode  boldly  upon  a  brigade  of  French  chasseurs  in  the 
rear.  Victor,  who  from  the  first  had  watched  the  move- 
ment at  once  dispatched  a  lancer  regiment  against  them, 
and  then  these  brave  fellows  were  absolutely  cut  to  atoms, 
the  few  who  escaped  having  passed  through  the  French 
columns  and  reached  Bassecour's  Spanish  division  on  the 
far  right. 

During  this  time  the  hill  was  again  assailed,  and  even 
more  desperately  than  before,  while  Victor  himself  led  on 
the  fourth  corps  to  an  attack  upon  our  right  and  centre. 


454  CHARLES  O'MALLET. 

The  Guards  waited  without  flinching  the  impetuous 
rush  of  the  advancing  columns,  and  when  at  length  within 
a  short  distance,  dashed  forward  with  the  bayonet,  driving 
everything  before  them.  The  French  fell  back  upon  their 
sustaining  masses,  and  rallying  in  an  instant,  again  came 
forward,  supported  by  a  tremendous  fire  from  their  bat- 
teries. The  Guards  drew  back,  and  the  German  Legion, 
suddenly  thrown  into  confusion,  began  to  retire  in  dis- 
order. This  was  the  most  critical  moment  of  the  day,  for 
although  successful  upon  the  extreme  right  and  left  of  our 
line,  our  centre  was  absolutely  broken.  Just  at  this 
moment  Gordon  rode  up  to  our  brigade  ;  his  face  was  pale 
and  his  look  hurried  and  excited. 

"  The  Forty-eighth  are  coming  ;  here  they  are — support 
them,  Fourteenth." 

These  words  were  all  he  spoke ;  and  the  next  moment 
the  measured  tread  of  a  column  was  heard  behind  us. 
On  they  came  like  one  man,  their  compact  and  dense 
formation  looking  like  some  massive  wall ;  wheeling  by 
companies,  they  suffered  the  Guards  and  Germans  to  retire 
behind  them,  and  then  re-forming  into  line,  they  rushed 
forward  with  the  bayonet.  Our  artillery  opened  with  a 
deafening  thunder  behind  them,  and  then  we  were  ordered 
to  charge. 

We  came  on  at  a  trot ;  the  Guards,  who  had  now  re- 
covered their  formation,  cheered  us  as  we  proceeded  ;  the 
smoke  of  the  cannonade  obscured  everything  until  we  had 
advanced  some  distance,  but  just  as  we  emerged  beyond 
the  line  of  the  gallant  Forty-eighth,  the  splendid  panorama 
of  the  battle-field  broke  suddenly  upon  us. 

"  Charge  !  forward !  "  cried  the  hoarse  voice  of  our 
Colonel ;  and  we  were  upon  them.  The  French  infantry, 
already  broken  by  the  withering  musketry  of  our  people, 
gave  way  before  us,  and,  unable  to  form  a  square,  retired 
fighting,  but  in  confusion,  and  with  tremendous  loss,  to  their 
position.  One  glorious  cheer  from  left  to  right  of  our  line 
proclaimed  the  victory,  while  a  deafening  discharge  of 
artillery  from  the  French  replied  to  this  defiance,  and  the 
battle  was  over.  Had  the  Spanish  army  been  capable  of 
a  forward  movement,  our  successes  at  this  moment  would 
have  been  much  more  considerable  ;  but  they  did  not  dare 
to  change  their  position.,  and  the  repulse  of  our  enemy 


IALATERA.  455 

was  destined  to  be  all  our  glory.  The  French,  however, 
suffered  much  more  severely  than  we  did  ;  and,  retiring 
during  the  night,  fell  back  behind  the  Alberche,  leaving 
us  the  victory  and  the  battle-field. 


END  VOL.    1. 


UC  SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY  .FACILITY 


A     000125004     2 


